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t^otYter  Goose 

The  ^oy<^  Smith 
Mother  loose 


JE  128099 

Kother  Zoose 
The  Boyd  Smith  Mother  Goose 


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ONLY,  and  is  subject  to  a  fine  of  FIVE 
CENTS  a  day  thereafter.  It  is  DUE  on  the 
DAY   indicated  below: 


®G 


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MAR  1  8  1974 


V 

S  S  1965 
DEC  6      1966 

FEB  2  i   <96J? 

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Olfl  3       *** 

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***  0  1973 

LWW  9  g  1974 

"474 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hil 


http://archive.org/details/boydsmithmothergsmit 


"  This  is  the  man  all  tattered  and  torn, 
Who  kissed  the  maiden  all  forlorn." 


THE  BOYD  SMITH 

MOTHER  GOOSE 


WITH    NUMEROUS   ILLUSTRATIONS   IN    COLOR   AND   IN    BLACK   AND   WHITE 
FROM    ORIGINAL   DRAWINGS    BY 

E.   BOYD  SMITH 


THE    TEXT    CAREFULLY    COLLATED    AND    VERIFIED    BY 

-  *. 

LAWRENCE    ELMENDORF,    M.A.^h.D. 


G.  P,  PUTNAM'S  SONS 

NEW  YORK  AND  LONDON 

XTbe  Tftntcfterbocfter  press 

1920 


Copyright,  1919 

BY 

G.  P.  PUTNAM'S  SONS 


Zbc  Wntekcrbscfccr  prcw,  Hew  B*rt 


J 

E 


Library,  Univ.  of 


Jforetoorb 


"  No,  no,  my  melodies  will  never  die, 
While  nurses  sing  and  babies  cry." 


WHEN  the  visitor  goes  to  Boston,  besides  the  Bunker  Hill  monument,  Paul 
Revere's  church,  Faneuil  Hall,  the  old  State  House,  and  Copp's  Hill  cemetery, 
there  is  the  old  Granary  Burying-ground  to  be  visited,  where  the  bodies  of 
some  of  the  most  noted  residents  of  old  colonial  Boston  are  buried.  Not  least  among  these  is 
the  one  especially  pointed  out  by  the  caretaker,  which  lies  under  a  modest  limestone  slab  of 
about  four  feet  high,  surrounded  and  supported  by  a  wooden  frame  to  prevent  it  from  crumb- 
ling entirely  away,  the  grave  of  the  namesake  and  friend  for  all  times  of  every  little  child, 
the  happy  songstress  of  happy  songstresses,  the  much  beloved  and  discussed  Mother  Goose. 
According  to  old  records  now  extant  both  in  Suffolk  County,  England,  as  well  as  in 
Boston,  the  family  original  name  was  not  Goose  but  Vergoose  or  Vertigoose.  In  those 
early  days  before  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century,  people  were  very  careless  both 
about  keeping  records  and  about  the  spelling  of  their  names.  Many  did  not  know  how  to 
spell,  while  those  who  did  know,  generally  did  not  care;  as  long  as  the  spelling  indicated  the 
right  person  that  was  all  that  was  necessary.  So  we  find  the  family  name  spelled  Vergoose, 
as  from  the  Anglo-Saxon,  or  Vertigoose,  from  the  Norman  French,  which  means  green 
goose,  a  goose  under  four  months  old. 

Also  on  both  sides  of  the  ocean,  we  find  from  the  records  as  early  as  the  first  half  of  the 
seventeenth  century,  that  the  family  was  well-to-do,  and  lived  on  Newbury  Street  in  Boston. 
In  1690,  the  wife  of  Isaac  Vergoose  died  and  left  him  with  ten  children.     Within  two  years 

V 


vi  FOREWORD 

he  was  married  again  to  Elizabeth  Foster,  who,  some  writers  tell  us,  was  the  future  Mother 
Goose. 

Later  Elizabeth  Foster  became  the  mother  of  six  more  children.  Some  authors  aver 
that  it  was  because  of  this  fact  that  we  are  indebted  for  the  rhyme  of 

"There  was  an  old  woman  who  lived  in  a  shoe, 

Who  had  so  many  children  she  didn't  know  what  to  do. " 

< 

In  the  historic  town  hall  of  Boston  are  many  of  the  old  city  registers.  In  one  of  these 
is  to  be  found  the  record  of  the  wedding,  performed  by  the  celebrated  Cotton  Mather,  of 
"Thomas  Fleet  of  Shopshire,  a  suburb  of  London,  now  residing  in  Pudding  Lane  of  this 
city"  and  Elizabeth  Goose,  daughter  of  Elizabeth  Vergoose — widow  of  the  deceased  Isaac 
Vertigoose.  The  writer  before  referred  to  goes  on  to  tell  us  that  because  of  the  constant 
chanting  of  rhymes  to  her  grandchildren,  the  bustling  old  lady  became  very  irritating  to 
Thomas  Fleet,  who  was  a  "man  fond  of  quiet.  "  At  first  he  endeavored  to  laugh  her  down, 
quizzing  the  melodies  in  order  to  put  a  quietus  on  the  pester.  As  this  had  no  effect,  like 
others  of  our  thrifty  ancestors,  the  pensive  man  decided  to  coin  money  from  a  resource  so 
near  at  hand,  so  he  took  down  these  verses  as  they  were  recited  and  in  1719  published  a  book 
called  Songs  for  the  Nursery,  or  Mother  Goose.  The  songs  were  sold  from  the  Pudding  Lane 
shop  for  two  coppers  apiece. 

In  1833  "Reliable  life  of  the  Goose  family,  never  before  published"  printed  in  Boston, 
reiterated  that  the  first  edition  of  Mother  Goose's  Melodies  was  published  in  1719,  by 
Thomas  Fleet  in  Pudding  Lane,  Boston ;  that  the  title  was  an  ebullition  of  spite  against  his 
mother-in-law.  This  story  was  again  renewed  in  i860  by  Fleet's  great-grandson,  when  he 
affirmed  that  a  friend,  Edward  L.  Crowninshield,  had  seen  mutilated  pieces  of  a  copy  of  the 
1719  edition  in  the  Boston  Library. 

A  thorough  search  for  this  book  has  been  made  time  and  time  again  by  the  Boston 
Historical  Society  and  by  interested  individuals,  not  only  in  all  the  Boston  libraries,  but 
in  many  other  private  collections ;  they  have  failed  to  bring  to  light  this  supposed  copy  and 
no  record  of  it  appears  on  any  catalogue.  Upon  searching  the  reprints  made  in  1890,  of 
the  Prefaces,  Proverbs,  and  Poems  as  contained  in  Poor  Richard's  Almanac  by  Benjamin 
Franklin,  we  find  nothing  that  suggests  a  single  one  of  these  melodies  nor  any  of  the  char- 
acters therein.  Yet  surely  Franklin  would  have  had  a  copy  if  any  one  did,  had  the  book 
been  in  print.  Bibliomaniacs  have  explored  every  clue  and  have  failed  to  find  trace  of  even 
the  mutilated  copy.  It  is  very  doubtful  whether  in  1719  a  book  of  trivial  rhymes  would 
have  been  allowed  to  be  published.  At  that  date  the  little  children  were  given  the  Bible  to 
read. 

What  we  do  find  on  authentic  authority  is  that  in  1697,  in  Paris,  Charles  Perrault 


FOREWORD  vii 

published  Conies  du  Terns1  Passe,  on  the  frontispiece  of  which  is  an  old  woman  spinning 
and  telling  tales  to  a  man,  a  girl,  a  boy,  and  a  cat.  On  a  placard  near  by  is  written 
"  Contes  de  ma  Mere  l'Oye." 

Later  in  1729,  in  London,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Robert  Sambers  edited  a  translation 
of  this  book  issued  by  J.  Rivington.*  In  1795  the  seventh  edition  of  it  was  printed  by  J. 
Rivington,  bookseller  and  stationer,  No.  56  Pearl  Street.  The  English  version  was  printed 
on  one  side  and  the  French  on  the  opposite  page.  Copies  of  both  of  these  books  are  in  Lon- 
don Libraries  to-day.  This  same  Robert  Sambers3  is  recorded  in  Allibone  as  having  trans- 
lated a  work  of  the  same  sort  from  the  French  in  17 19,  but  no  copy  of  this  volume  exists. 
It  may  be,  however,  that  this  idea  of  the  Fleet  edition  sprang  from  one  of  these  copies,  or 
still  more  likely  from  an  edition  of  Daniel  Henchman,  the  well  known  publisher  and  book- 
seller, which  is  now  among  the  Hancock  papers  in  the  Library  of  the  New  England  Historic 
Geneological  Society.  Among  other  items  will  be  found  "July  13,  1719,  Thomas  Fleet 
credited  by  printing  one  hundred  primers — £250.  " 

In  1 719  Henchman  issued  a  pamphlet  or  sheet  called  Verses  for  Children.  Fleet  was 
engaged  in  printing  the  primer  for  Henchman.  Some  of  these  copies  are  extant.  If  Fleet 
had  printed  any  copies  for  himself  it  is  probable  that  they  would  still  exist  also,  but  none 
have  been  found.    In  fact,  there  is  evidence  that  Fleet  did  not  live  on  Pudding  Street  until 

1 731. 

The  French  edition  of  1697  was  dedicated  to  Comtesse  de  Murat  and  the  English  of 

1729  to  the  Right  Honourable,  the  Lady  Mary  Montagu,  daughter  of  John,  Duke  of  Mon- 
tagu. The  tales  such  as  Little  Red  Riding-Hood,  The  Fairy  (the  sisters  who  dropped 
diamonds  and  toads  from  their  mouths),  Blue  Beard,  the  Sleeping  Beauty,  Puss-in-Boots, 
Cinderilla4,  Requet  with  the  Tuft,  and  Little  Thumb;  eight  in  all — were  in  the  1697  edition. 

As  to  the  Melodies,  John  Newbery,  the  famous  publisher  of  St.  Paul's  Church  Yard  in 
London,  whose  life  has  been  most  interestingly  told  by  Charles  Welsh  in  London,  1885,  was 
the  first  English  printer  to  preface  story  books  for  children.  We  find  that  in  1 765  he  pub- 
lished Little-Goody -Two-Shoes,  a  story  generally  ascribed  to  Oliver  Goldsmith,  who  was  a 
constant  writer  for  Newbery. 

In  Welsh's  Life  of  Goldsmith,  volume  II,  pp.  71.  he  writes  that  "Miss  Hawkins  says, 
'  I  little  thought  that  I  should  have  to  boast  that  Mr.  Goldsmith  taught  me  Jack  and  Jill  by 
two  bits  of  paper  on  his  fingers.' "  If  one  reads  on  a  bit  further  in  the  same  volume,  he  will 
find  that  on  January  29,  1768,  after  the  production  of  the  Good  Natured  Man,  Mr.  Gold- 
smith went  to  dine  with  a  friend.  "To  impress  them  more  forcibly  of  his  magnanimity, 
he  sang  lustily  for  them  his  favorite  song  about  an  old  woman  tossed  in  a  blanket  seventeen 
times  as  high  as  the  moon,  and  was  altogether  very  loud  and  noisy. " 

1  Ancient  spelling — was  not  spelled  with  a  "  p."  » Not  Rivingston. 

■J  Not  Samders.  « As  spelled  in  the  original. 


viii  FOREWORD 

In  1842,  James  O'Halliwell,  the  great  Shakespearian  authority,  made  a  careful  study 
of  the  nursery  rhymes  of  England,  collected  principally  from  oral  tradition.  He  writes 
that,  "these  traditional  nonsense  scraps  have  come  down  in  England  to  us  in  such  numbers 
that  in  the  short  space  of  three  years,  he  had  collected  considerably  more  than  a  thousand. " 

Now  then,  if  Thomas  Fleet  did  not  collect  and  publish  these  rhymes  in  1719,  how  did 
they  come  to  America?  Soon  after  the  Revolution,  in  1787,  Isaiah  Thomas  who  had 
married  one  of  the  grand-daughters  of  Fleet,  took  up  the  business  of  publishing  children's 
books  and  copied  many  of  the  Newbery  prints,  as  well  as  the  Nursery  Rhymes.  A  very 
beautiful  copy  is  to  be  found  in  the  Boston  Library  to-day.  It  is  dated,  Worcester,  Mass- 
achusetts, 1787.  This  book  is  page  for  page  a  duplication  from  the  Newbery  edition.  The 
cuts  are  reproduced,  but  are  a  good  imitation  of  the  original.  Toward  the  end  of  the  book 
they  vary  slightly  as  if  the  copier  was  tired  of  his  work  and  wished  to  finish  in  the  quickest 
manner  possible.  If  there  had  been  in  existence  a  17 19  edition  at  that  time,  undoubtedly 
Thomas  would  have  copied  his  grandfather's  book,  or  at  least  mentioned  it,  rather  than  the 
one  from  England,  against  which  land  such  a  strong  feeling  still  existed.  Upon  comparing 
the  two  volumes,  we  find  that  Thomas  slightly  altered  the  publisher's  notes  also. 

So  until  more  is  known  of  the  bibliography  of  the  "  1719  edition, "  I  fear  that  we  must 
accept  the  following  as  the  facts:  that  Mother  Goose  originated  in  France  between  1650 
and  1697,  was  translated  into  English  by  Robert  Sambers  in  1729,  and  did  not  reach 
America  until  1 785  when  Isaiah  Thomas  gave  us  a  reproduction  of  Newbery.  As  the  differ- 
ent editions  of  Newbery  have  been  added  to  and  changed,  so  has  the  Thomas  edition.  Until 
to-day  we  have  many  different  versions  of  the  same,  including  some  very  modern  rhymes 
that  have  absolutely  nothing  to  do  with  the  original  American  volume  of  Isaiah  Thomas, 
which  must  be  acceded  to  be  the  first  American  publication  of  Mother  Goose. 

Lawrence  Elmendorf. 

New  York,  June,  1919. 


Contents 

f  i 

MOTHER  GOOSE  MELODIES 

As  Collected  by  the  Percy  Society,  to  which  are  Added  Certain 
Nursery  Rhymes  Usually  Associated  with  Mother  Goose 

PAGH 

Old  Mother  Hubbard  .........  3 

Poor  Old  Robinson  Crusoe  7 

There  Was  an  Old  Woman  Had  Three  Sons 8     -' 

The  King  of  France 8 

Pussycat,  Pussycat 8 

Over  the  Water,  Over  the  Lee  .......  8    v 

When  I  Was  a  Batchelor  .........  9     . 

Little  Jack  Jingle 9 

I  Had  a  Little  Dog 10 

ix 


CONTENTS 


Four  and  Twenty  Tailors 
v    My  Daddy  Is  Dead 

The  Old  Woman  and  Her  Pig 

Little  Miss  Muffet  . 

Little  Miss  Mopsey    . 

Sing  a  Song  of  Sixpence     . 

Come,  All  Ye  Brisk  Young  Batchelors 

There  Was  a  Crooked  Man 

Little  Blue  Billy  6^-1      . 

The  Man  in  the  Moon 

Tom,  Tom,  the  Piper's  Son. 

I  Had  a  Little  Moppet 

Tom  Married  a  Wife  on  Sunday 

Solomon  Grundy. 

The  Lion  and  the  Unicorn 

Doctor  Faustus  Was  a  Good  Man 

Lucy  Locket  Lost  Her  Pocket 

Bessy  Bell  and  Mary  Gray 

I'll  Tell  You  a  Story 

Says  Aaron  to  Moses 

A  Kid,  a  Kid 

The  Fox  and  His  Wife 

My  Lady  Wind    . 

Little  Jack  Horner    . 


CONTENTS 


XI 


I  Had  a  Little  Husband 

There  Was  a  Jolly  Miller 

Robin  the  Bobbin 

There  Was  a  Lady  Lov'd  a  Swine 

Tommy  Trot,  a  Man  of  Law 

There  Was  an  Old  Woman  as  I've  Heard  Tell 

Dr.  Foster  Went  to  Gloucester 

Little  Jenny  Wren     . 

The  Wedding  of  Jenny  Wren 

Simple  Simon  Met  a  Pieman 

Hub  a  Dub  Dub 

Little  Jack-a-Dandy   . 

Ding  Dong  Bell. 

Robin  Hood 

Fee,  Fie,  Fo,  Fum 

"Where  Are  You  Going,  My  Pretty  Maid?" 

O  Please  to  Remember 

There  Were  Two  Cats  of  Kilkenny 

Jack  Be  Nimble  ..... 

When  Good  King  Arthur  Ruled  this  Land 
There  Was  an  Old  Woman  of  Norwich     . 
Egg,  Cheese,  Butter,  Bread 
Little  Bo-peep    ...... 

tweedle-dum  and  tweedle-dee  . 


Xll 


CONTENTS 


DlNGTY    DlDDLEDY  ...... 

v   There  Was  an  Old  Woman  who  Lived  in  a  Shoe 

Deedle,  Deedle,  Dumpling 

Hey  Ding  a  Ding 

Formed  Long  Ago 

Cock  a  Doodle  Doo    . 

A  Frog  He  Would  A- Wooing  Go 
v  There  Was  a  Frog  Liv'd  in  a  Well 

The  Queen  of  Hearts 

What  Are  Little  Girls  Made  of 

Ride  to  the  Market  to  Buy  a  Fat  Pig 

See,  See,  What  Shall  I  See 

Zickety,  Dickety,  Dock 

Hickory,  Dickory,  Dock 

See  a  Pin    .... 

St.  Swithin's  Day 

A  Man  of  Words  and  not  of  Deeds 

A  Swarm  of  Bees  in  May  . 

Goosy,  Goosy,  Gander 

Purple,  Yellow,  Red,  and  Green 

Little  Nancy  Etticoat  .     . 

Long  Legs   ..... 

Two  Legs  Sat  on  Three  Legs    . 

Baa,  Baa  Black  Sheep 


CONTENTS 


xm 


Thirty  White  Horses 

As  I  Went  through  Garden  Gap 

Pease-Porridge  Hot    . 

Elizabeth,  Elspeth,  Betsy,  and  Bess 

Come,  Butter,  Come    . 

As  I  Was  Going  to  St.  Ives 

There  Was  an  Old  Woman  Toss'd  up 

Gay  Go  Up 

Boys  and  Girls,  Come  out  to  Play    . 

Peter  White        . 

There  Was  an  old  Woman  of  Surrey 

Matthew,  Mark,  Luke,  and  John 

Georgie  Porgie  . 

Let  Us  Go  to  the  Woods 

Sneil,  Snail 

Anna  Elise 

Ride  a  Cock  Horse 

Old  King  Cole    . 

Old  King  Coel    . 

There  Were  Three  Jovial  Welshmen 

This  Little  Pig  Went  to  Market 

I  Had  a  Little  Pony  . 

As  Tommy  Snooks        .... 

Liar,  Liar 


xiv  CONTENTS 


PAGE 


Tell-Tale,  Tit 73 

Multiplication  Is  Vexation 73 

I  Had  a  Little  Sister         .........  73 

All  Hail  to  the  Moon  ........  73 

Hie!  Diddle,  Diddle    .         ...         •         .         .         .         •         •         -74 

Curly-Locks        ...........  74 

Barber,  Barber,  Shave  a  Pig     ........  74 

As  I  Was  Going  Up  Pippen  Hill 74 

There  Was  a  Little  Boy  and  a  Little  Girl 75 

Thomas  a  Didymus       . 75 

What  Care  I  how  Black  I  be 75 

Little  Robin  Redbreast 76 

A  Diller  a  Dollar     ..........  76 

Mistress  Mary    ...........  76 

The  Cat  Sat  Asleep 77 

Bobby  Shafto 77 

Tom  He  Was  a  Piper's  Son 78 

I  Had  a  Little  Hobby-Horse -79 

Dance,  Little  Baby 79 

A  Riddle,  a  Riddle 79 

A  Little  Old  Man  and  I  Fell  Out 80 

Dickery,  Dickery,  Dare 80 

The  Rose  Is  Red 80 

If  All  the  Sea  Were  One  Sea 81 


! 


CONTENTS  xv 


PAGE 


'. 


V- 


Cross-Patch 81 

Of  All  Gay  Birds 81   ' 

There  Was  a  Little  Man .82 

Seesaw,  Margery  Daw 83 

How  Many  Miles  Is  it  to  Babylon  ? 83 

Rock-a-Bye  Baby  83 

House  that  Jack  Built 84 

Lady  Bird,  Lady  Bird 86 

One  Misty,  Moist y  Morning 87 

Lady  Cow,  Lady  Cow  87- 

The  Old  Goose  and  Her  Goslings     .......       88 

humpty  dumpty  ...........       91 

Cock  Robin 92 

The  Five  Pigs 95 

Little  Boy  Blue         ..........       97  t 

A  Carrion  Crow 98 

Dogs  in  the  Garden 98 

Little  Tommy  Grace  ..........       99 

Little  Tommy  Tucker 99 

There  Was  an  old  Couple 100 

When  I  Was  a  Little  Boy 101 

Ride  a  Cock  Horse 101 

Hark,  Hark 101 

John  Cook  had  a  Gray  Mare 102 


xvi  CONTENTS 


PAGE 


Two  Little  Dogs         ..........     103 

As  Round  as  an  Apple        .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .     103 

Naughty  Willy  Bell  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .104 

My  Dear,  Do  You  Know 105 

A, Little  Cock  Sparrow      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .106 

Old  Woman,  Shall  We  Go  A-Shearing 106 

When  a  Twister  Twisting 107 

Robert  Rowley  .  107 

Peter  Piper 107 

Hot-Cross  Buns 107 

II 

ORIGINAL  MOTHER  GOOSE 

Preface        .         .         .         . no 

A  Love  Song 112 

A  Dirge       .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .114 

Cross-Patch .         .         .         .115 

A  Melancholy  Song 115 

Amphion's  Song  of  Eurydice        .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .116 

Three  Wise  Men         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .117 

There  Was  an  Old  Man     .         .         .         „         ....  117 

There  Was  an  Old  Woman  .  118 

Plato's  Song        .         .         .         .         .         .         .         „         .         .         .     119 

Se  Saw .         .         .119 


CONTENTS 


xvn 


Little  Tom  Tucker     . 

Great  A,  Little  A 

Se  Saw,  Sacar  A  Down 

Is  John  Smith  within  ? 

Shoe  the  Colt     . 

High  Diddle  Diddle    . 

Ride  a  Cock  Horse 

There  Was  an  Old  Man 

Cock  a  Doodle  Doo    . 

Round  About 

Hush  a  by  Baby 

Jack  and  Jill 

There  Were  Two  Birds 

Little  Jack  Horner    . 

Pease  Porridge  Hot    . 

Jack  Sprat  . 

Who  Comes  Here  ? 

What  Care  I  how  Black  I 

Tell  Tale  Tit     . 

Three  Children  Sliding 

One,  Two,  Three 

Patty  Cake,  Patty  Cake 

When  I  Was  a  Little  Boy 

O  My  Kitten  a  Kitten 


be 


xviii  CONTENTS 


PAGE 


Alexander's  Song        .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         -131 

This  Pig  Went  to  Market  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .132 

A  Long  Tail'd  Pig 132 

Bow,  Wow,  Wow 132 

Bah,  Bah,  Black  Sheep       .........     133 

Robin  and  Richard      .         .  * 133 

The  Sow  Came  in  with  the  Saddle   .         .         .         .         .         .         .134 

There  Was  an  Old  Woman 134 

We're  Three  Brethren       .........     134 

There  Were  Two  Blackbirds     ........     135 

Here's  A,  B,  C 135 

DlCKERY,  DlCKERY  DOCK 1 36 

Boys  and  Girls 136 

Up  the  Ladder    ...........     136 

Piping  Hot,  Smoking  Hot 136 

A  Logical  Song .137 

III 
The  Pleasant  History  of  Little  Jack  Horner  .         .         .         .139 

IV 

The  Famous  History  of  Tom  Thumb  .         .         .         .         .         .         .159 

Notes 217 


Htsit  of  Coloured  plates; 


"The  man  all  tattered  and  torn, 

who  kissed  the   maiden    all   forlorn". 

"And  the  Dog  bit  the  Pig,  and  the  Pig  jumped 
over  the  stile  "   ..... 


"When  the  Pie  was  opened 
The  Birds  began  to  sing  " 

"  Tom,  Tom,  the  Piper's  Son  " 

"The  Lion  beat  the  Unicorn 
All  around  the  Town ' ' 


"The  Gray  Goose  she  ran  round  the  Hay  Stack " 

1 '  He  began  to  bark  so  she  began  to  cry  "      . 

"Said  the  Pieman  to  Simple  Simon, 
'  Show  me  first  your  penny. ' " 

"Fee,Fo,Fi,Fum" 

"  The  King  and  Queen  did  eat  thereof  " 

"She  had  so  many  children 
She  didn't  know  what  to  do  " 


'  So  he  took  up  his  hat  and  he  wished  them  good  night " 
'  The  Knave  of  hearts,  he  stole  those  tarts  " 


Frontispiece 


12 
16 

20 

22 
28 

36 

40 
42 

44 

48 
50 

54 


xix 


xx         LIST  OF  COLOURED  PLATES 

PAGE 

"  The  clock  struck  one  and  the  mouse  ran  down"           .....  56 

"  Yes  marry ,  Sir,  three  bags  full "        ........  60 

' '  Tweedle  dee,  Tweedle  dee 

Said  the  Fiddlers  three"       . 68 

"  The  little  dog  laughed  to  see  such  sport "            ......  74 

' '  Old  Dame  Trot  with  her  basket  of  eggs 

He  used  his  pipe  and  she  used  her  legs  " .          ......  78 

"And  Fired  at  a  Duck 

And  shot  him  through  the  head,  head,  head "            .          .          .          .          .  82 

"  Cows  in  the  cornfield,  run,  boys,  run"       .......  106 


MOTHER  GOOSE  MELODIES 

AS  COLLECTED  FOR  THE  PERCY  SOCIETY 
BY  JAMES  O'HALLIWELL,  LONDON,  1842; 
TO  WHICH  ARE  ADDED  CERTAIN  FAMILIAR 
NURSERY  RHYMES  USUALLY  ASSOCIATES 
WITH  MOTHER  GOOSE 


0lh  Jfflotfjer  imbbarb 

OLD  MOTHER  HUBBARD 
Went  to  the  cupboard, 
To  get  her  poor  dog  a  bone  ; 
But  when  she  got  there, 
The  cupboard  was  bare, 
And  so  the  poor  dog  had  none. 

She  went  to  the  baker's 
To  buy  him  some  bread, 

But  when  she  came  back 
The  poor  dog  was  dead. 


MOTHER  GOOSE  MELODIES 


She  went  to  the  joiner's 
To  buy  him  a  coffin, 

But  when  she  came  back 
The  poor  dog  was  a  loffin. 


She  took  a  clean  dish 
To  get  him  some  tripe, 

But  when  she  came  back 
He  was  smoking  a  pipe. 


She  went  to  the  ale-house 
To  get  him  some  beer, 

But  when  she  came  back 
The  dog  sat  in  a  chair. 


She  went  to  the  tavern 
For  white  wine  and  red, 

But  when  she  came  back 
The  dog  stood  on  his  head. 


She  went  to  the  hatter's 
To  buy  him  a  hat, 

But  when  she  came  back 
He  was  feeding  a  cat. 


She  went  to  the  barber's 
To  buy  him  a  wig, 

But  when  she  came  back 
He  was  dancing  a  jig. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


She  went  to  the  fruitter's 
To  buy  him  some  fruit, 

But  when  she  came  back 
He  was  playing  the  flute. 


She  went  to  the  tailor's 
To  buy  him  a  coat, 

But  when  she  came  back 
He  was  riding  a  goat. 


She  went  to  the  cobler's 
To  buy  him  some  shoes, 

But  when  she  came  back 
He  was  reading  the  news. 


She  went  to  the  sempstress 
To  buy  him  some  linen, 

But  when  she  came  back 
The  dog  was  spinning. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


She  went  to  the  hosier's 
To  buy  him  some  hose, 

But  when  she  came  back 

He  was  dressed  in  his  clothes. 


The  dame  made  a  curtsey, 

The  dog  made  a  bow, 
The  dame  said,  "  Your  servant," 

The  dog  said,  "  Bow-wow." 


MISTRESS  MARY,  quite  contrary, 
How  does  your  garden  grow  ? 
With  cockle  shells,  and  silver  bells, 
And  pretty  maids  all  a  row. 


(A  rainbow) 

PURPLE,  yellow,  red,  and  green, 
The  king  cannot  reach  it  nor  the  Queen; 
Nor  did  old  Noll  whose  power's  so  great. 
Tell  me  this  riddle  while  I  count  eight. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


$oor  0lh  IXobmston  Crusloe 

POOR  old  Robinson  Crusoe! 
Poor  old  Robinson  Crusoe! 
They  made  him  a  coat, 
Of  an  old  nanny  goat, 

I  wonder  how  they  could  do  so! 
With  a  ring  a  ting  tang, 
And  a  ring  a  ting  tang, 
Poor  old  Robinson  Crusoe! 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


THERE  was  an  old  woman  had  three  sons, 
Jerry,  and  James,  and  John; 
Jerry  was  hung,  and  James  was  drowned, 
John  was  lost  and  never  found, 
And  there  was  an  end  of  her  three  sons, 
Jen-y,  and  James,  and  John. 


THE  King  of  France  went  up  the  hill, 
With  twenty  thousand  men; 
The  King  of  France  came  down  the  hill, 
And  never  went  up  again. 


PUSSY  cat,  pussy  cat,  where  have  you  been? 
I've  been  to  London  to  see  the  Queen. 
Pussy  cat,  pussy  cat,  what  did  you  there? 
I  frightened  a  little  mouse  under  the  chair.1 


OVER  the  water,  over  the  lee, 
Over  the  water  to  Charley- 
Charley  loves  good  cake  and  ale, 
Charley  loves  good  brandy, 
Charley  loves  a  little  girl 
As  sweet  as  sugar  candy. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


iv-^mumm 


Whtn  3  Wa*  a  ^atcfjeior 

WHEN  I  was  a  batchelor,  I  liv'd  by  myself, 
And  all  the  bread  and  cheese  I  laid  upon  the  shelf, 
The  rats  and  the  mice  they  made  such  a  strife, 
I  was  forced  to  go  to  London  to  buy  me  a  wife; 
The  roads  were  so  bad  and  the  lanes  were  so  narrow, 
I  was  forced  to  bring  my  wife  home  in  a  wheelbarrow. 
The  wheelbarrow  broke,  and  my  wife  had  a  fall; 
Deuce  take  wheelbarrow,  wife,  and  all. 


LITTLE  Jack  Jingle, 
He  used  to  live  single; 
But  when  he  got  tired  of  that  kind  of  life, 
He  left  off  being  single,  and  liv'd  with  his  wife. 


10 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


3  gab  a  Utttle  Bog 

1HAD  a  little  dog,  and  his  name  was  Blue  Bell, 
I  gave  him  some  work,  and  he  did  it  very  well; 
I  sent  him  upstairs  to  pick  up  a  pin, 
He  stepped  in  the  coal-scuttle  up  to  his  chin; 
I  sent  him  to  the  garden  to  pick  up  some  sage, 
He  tumbled  down  and  fell  in  a  rage; 
I  sent  him  to  the  cellar  to  draw  a  pot  of  beer, 
He  came  up  again,  and  said  there  was  none  there. 


FOUR  and  twenty  tailors  went  to  kill  a  snail, 
The  best  man  among  them  durst  not  touch  her  tail ; 
She  put  out  her  horns  like  a  little  kyloe  cow, 
Run,  tailors,  run,  or  she'll  kill  you  all  e'en  now. 


THE  rose  is  red,  the  grass  is  green, 
Serve  Queen  Bess  our  noble  Queen! 
Kitty  the  spinner 
Will  sit  down  to  dinner, 
And  eat  the  legs  of  a  frog: 
All  good  people 
Look  over  the  steeple, 
And  see  the  cat  play  with  the  dog. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  u 


fflp  ©atrbp  3te  Beab 

MY  daddy  is  dead,  but  I  can't  tell  you  how; 
But  he  left  me  six  horses  to  follow  the  plow: 
With  my  whim  wham  waddle  ho! 
Strim  stram  straddle  ho! 
Bubble  ho!  pretty  boy, 
Over  the  brow. 


I  sold  my  six  horses  to  buy  me  a  cow, 
And  wasn't  that  a  pretty  thing  to  follow  the  plow? 
With  my,  &c. 


I  sold  my  cow  to  buy  me  a  calf, 
For  I  never  made  a  bargain,  but  I  lost  the  best  half. 
With  my,  &c. 


I  sold  my  calf  to  buy  me  a  cat, 
To  sit  by  the  fire  to  warm  her  little  back. 
With  my,  &c. 


I  sold  my  cat  to  buy  me  a  mouse, 
But  she  took  fire  in  her  tail,  so  burnt  up  my  house. 
With  my,  &c. 


12  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


GTJje  (Bit  ^oman  anb  ^er  $tg 

AN  old  woman  was  sweeping  her  house,  and  she  found  a  little 
crooked  sixpence.  "  What,"  said  she,  "  shall  I  do  with  this 
little  sixpence  ?  I  will  go  the  market,  and  buy  a  little  pig."  As 
she  was  coming  home,  she  came  to  a  stile :  but  piggy  would  not  go 
over  the  stile. 

She  went  a  little  further,  and  she  met  a  dog.  So  she  said  to 
the  dog :  "  Dog  !  bite  pig  ;  piggy  won't  go  over  the  stile,  and  I  shan't 
get  home  to-night."     But  the  dog  would  not. 

She  went  a  little  further,  and  met  a  stick.  So  she  said  :  "  Stick 
stick  !  beat  dog ;  dog  won't  bite  pig ;  piggy  won't  go  over  the  stile  ; 
and  I  can't  get  home  to-night."     But  the  stick  would  not. 

She  went  a  little  further,  and  she  met  a  fire.  So  she  said, 
"  Fire  !  fire  !  burn  stick  ;  stick  won't  beat  dog ;  dog  won't  bite  pig," 
etc.     But  the  fire  would  not. 

"  She  went  a  little  further,  and  she  met  some  water.  So  she 
said,  "  Water !  water !  quench  fire ;  fire  won't  burn  stick ;  stick  won't 
beat  dog  ;  dog  won't  bite  pig,"  etc.     But  the  water  would  not. 

She  went  a  little  further,  and  she  met  an  ox.  So  she  said, 
"Ox!  ox!  drink  water;  water  won't  quench  fire;  fire  won't  burn 
stick,"  etc.     But  the  ox  would  not. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  13 

She  went  a  little  further,  and  she  met  a  butcher.  So  she  said, 
"  Butcher !  butcher !  kill  ox ;  ox  won't  drink  water ;  water  won't 
quench,"  etc.     But  the  butcher  would  not. 

She  went  a  little  further,  and  she  met  a  rope.  So  she  said, 
"  Rope  !  rope  !  hang  butcher ;  butcher  won't  kill  ox,"  etc.  But  the 
rope  would  not. 

She  went  a  little  further,  and  she  met  a  rat.  So  she  said, 
"Rat!  rat!  gnaw  rope;  rope  won't  hang  butcher,"  etc.  But  the 
rat  would  not. 

She  went  a  little  further,  and  she  met  a  cat.  So  she  said,  "  Cat ! 
cat!  kill  rat;  rat  won't  gnaw  rope,"  etc.  But  the  cat  said  to  her, 
If  you  will  got  to  yonder  cow,  and  fetch  me  a  saucer  of  milk,  I  will 
kill  the  rat."     So  away  went  the  old  woman  to  the  cow. 

But  the  cow  said  to  her,  "  If  you  will  go  to  yonder  haymaker 
and  ask  him  to  give  you  a  handful  of  hay,  I  will  give  you  the  milk." 

So  the  old  woman  went,  but  the  haymaker  said  to  her,  "  If  you 
jwill  go  to  yonder  stream  and  fetch  us  a  bucket  of  water,  I  will  give 
you  the  hay." 

So  away  went  the  old  woman,  but  when  she  got  to  the  stream, 
she  found  the  bucket  was  full  of  holes.  So  she  covered  the  bottom 
with  pebbles,  and  then  filled  the  bucket  with  water  and  away  she 
went  with  it  back  to  the  haymakers,  who  gave  her  the  hay,  and  she 
brought  it  to  the  cow. 

As  soon  as  the  cow  had  eaten  the  hay  she  gave  the  old  woman 
the  milk  ;  and  away  she  went  with  a  saucer  of  milk  to  the  cat. 


H 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


As  soon  as  the  cat  had  lapped  the  milk,  the  cat  began  to  kill 
the  rat ;  the  rat  began  to  gnaw  the  rope ;  the  rope  began  to  hang 
the  butcher ;  the  butcher  began  to  kill  the  ox ;  the  ox  began  to 
drink  the  water ;  the  water  began  to  quench  the  fire  ;  the  fire  began 
to  burn  the  stick  ;  the  stick  began  to  beat  the  dog  ;  the  dog  began 
to  bite  the  pig  ;  the  little  pig  in  a  fright  jumped  over  the  stile  ;  and 
so  the  old  woman  got  home  that  night. 


Yes  marry,  sir,  three  bags  full." 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


i5 


JLittk  Jfltsfc  Mniittt 

LITTLE  Miss  Muffett, 
Sat  on  a  tuffet, 
Eating  her  curds  and  whey. 
There  came  a  great  spider, 
And  sat  down  beside  her, 
And  frightened  Miss  Muffett  away! 


[This  is  an  older  version.] 

LITTLE  Miss  Mopsey, 
Sat  in  the  shopsey, 
Eating  curds  and  whey; 
There  came  a  little  spider, 
Who  sat  down  beside  her, 
And  frightened  Miss  Mopsey  away ! 


16  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


g>mg  a  g>ong  of  £§>txpente 


SING  a  song  of  sixpence, 
A  pocket  full  of  rye; 
Four-and-twenty  blackbirds 
Baked  in  a  pie; 


When  the  pie  was  opened, 
The  birds  began  to  sing; 

Was  not  that  a  dainty  dish 
To  set  before  a  king? 


The  king  was  in  the  counting-house 
Counting  out  his  money; 

The  queen  was  in  the  parlour 
Eating  bread  and  honey; 


The  maid  was  in  the  garden 
Hanging  out  her  clothes, 

Up  comes  a  little  bird, 
And  snaps  off  her  nose. 


When  the  pie  was  opened, 
The  birds  began  to  sing." 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  17 


Come,  &U  §t  ^rtsffe  Poung:  Patcfcelor* 

COME,  all  ye  brisk  young  batchelors, 
That  wish  to  have  good  wives; 
I'd  have  you  be  precautious, 
How  you  spend  your  lives. 
For  women  are  as  various, 
As  the  fish  are  in  the  sea; 
They're  ten  times  more  precarious, 
Than  a  winter  or  summer's  day! 

When  you  first  begin  to  court  them, 
They're  as  mild  as  any  dove, 
And  you  will  think  them 
Full  worthy  of  your  love; 
But  when  you  do  get  married, 
The  case  is  altered  then; 
For  you  will  find,  my  friend, 
They  can  let  loose  their  tongues! 

Now  Aristotle  chose 
A  most  commodious  wife, 
As  ever  was  in  this  land,  Sir, 
A  partner  for  his  life; 


18  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 

But  soon  he  found  out 

That  'twas  all  a  hum. 

You  must  not  stay  to  pick  them, 

But  take  them  as  they  come! 

Blank  or  prize  'tis  all  a  chance, 
Shut  your  eyes  and  then  advance! 
Which  e'er  you  touch  be  pleased  at  once, 
For  you  must  pay,  let  who  will  dance. 

There  was  a  victim  in  a  cart, 
One  day  for  to  be  hung; 
And  his  reprieve  was  granted, 
And  the  cart  was  made  to  stand: 
"Come  marry  a  wife  and  save  your  life!" 
The  judge  aloud  did  cry. 

"Oh  why  should  I  corrupt  my  life?" 

The  victim  did  reply; 

"  For  here's  a  crowd  of  every  sort, 

And  why  should  I  prevent  the  sport? 

The  bargain's  bad  in  every  part— 

The  wife's  the  worst;  drive  on  the  cart!" 


* 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


19 


Cfjere  Wax  a  Croofeeb  Jlan 

THERE  was  a  crooked  man,  and  he  went  a  crooked  mile, 
He  found  a  crooked  sixpence  against  a  crooked  stile; 
He  bought  a  crooked  cat,  which  caught  a  crooked  mouse, 
And  they  all  liv'd  together  in  a  little  crooked  house. 


LITTLE  blue  Betty  lived  in  a  den, 
She  sold  good  ale  to  gentlemen: 
Gentlemen  came  every  day, 
And  little  blue  Betty  hopp'd  away. 
She  hopp'd  upstairs  to  make  her  bed, 
And  she  tumbled  down  and  broke  her  head 


20  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


&om,  Worn,  tije  leper's;  i^on 

TOM,  Tom,  the  piper's  son, 
Stole  a  pig  and  away  he  run! 
The  pig  was  eat,  and  Tom  was  beat, 
And  Tom  went  roaring  down  the  street! 


Cfje  Jflan  in  tfje  Moon 

THE  man  in  the  moon, 
Came  tumbling  down, 
And  ask'd  his  way  to  Norwich. 
He  went  by  the  south, 
And  burnt  his  mouth, 

With  supping  hot  pease  porridge. 


3  ?|ab  a  TLittk  Jffloppet 

1HAD  a  little  moppet, 
I  put  it  in  my  pocket, 
And  fed  it  with  corn  and  hay; 
Then  came  a  proud  beggar, 
And  swore  he  would  have  her, 
And  stole  my  moppet  away. 


"  Tom,  Tom,  the  piper's  son, 
Stole  a  pig  and  away  he  run, 
The  pig  was  eat,  and  Tom  was  beat, 
And  Tom  went  roaring  down  the  street." 


MOTHER  GOOSE    MELODIES 


21 


^om  Jlarrieb  a  Witt 


TOM  married  a  wife  on  Sunday, 
Beat  her  well  on  Monday, 
Bad  she  was  on  Tuesday, 
Middling  she  was  on  Wednesday, 
Worse  was  she  on  Thursday, 
Dead  she  was  on  Friday; 
Glad  was  Tom  on  Saturday  night 
To  bury  his  wife  on  Sunday. 


SOLOMON  GRUNDY, 
Born  on  Monday, 
Christened  on  Tuesday, 
Married  on  Wednesday, 
Took  ill  on  Thursday, 
Worse  on  Friday, 
Died  on  Saturday, 
Buried  on  Sunday; 
This  is  the  end 
Of  Solomon  Grundy. 


22  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


Cfje  Item  anb  tfje  Unicorn 

THE  lion  and  the  unicorn, 
Were  fighting  for  the  crown; 
The  lion  beat  the  unicorn, 
All  around  the  town. 
Some  gave  him  white  bread, 
Some  gave  him  brown, 
Some  gave  him  plum  cake, 
And  sent  him  out  of  town. 


Boctov  Jfausitug 

DOCTOR  FAUSTUS  was  a  good  man, 
He  whipt  his  children  now  and  then; 
When  he  whipp'd  them  he  made  them  dance, 
Out  of  Scotland  into  France, 
Out  of  France  into  Spain, 
And  then  he  whipp'd  them  back  again. 


Hucp  Hocfeet 

LUCY  LOCKET  lost  her  pocket, 
Kitty  Fisher  found  it; 
Nothing  in  it,  nothing  in  it, 
But  the  binding  round  it. 


The  lion  and  the  unicorn 
Were  fighting  for  the  crown; 
The  lion  beat  the  unicorn, 
All  around  the  town. 
Some  gave  him  white  bread, 
Some  gave  him  brown, 
Some  gave  him  plum  cake, 
And  sent  him  out  of  town." 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


23 


pes&|>  $£ell  anb  Jfflarp  #rap 

BESSY  BELL  and  Mary  Gray, 
They  were  two  bonnie  lasses; 
They  built  their  house  upon  the  lea, 
And  covered  it  with  rushes. 

Bessy  kept  the  garden  gate, 

And  Mary  kept  the  pantry; 
Bessy  always  had  to  wait, 

While  Mary  lived  in  plenty. 


3PU  GTeU  gem  a  g>torp 


I'LL  tell  you  a  story 
About  Jack  and  Nory; 
And  now  my  story's  begun: 
I'll  tell  you  another 
About  his  brother, 
And  now  my  story's  done. 


g>apg  &aron  to  ifflo&g 


SAYS  Aaron  to  Moses, 
"  Let's  cut  off  our  noses ; " 
Says  Moses  to  Aaron, 
"  Tis  the  fashion  to  wear  them." 


24  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


&\ 


1%/;  •  {?^v 


A 


9  Mb,  a  Itfb 

kid,  a  kid,  my  father  bought 
For  two  pieces  of  money: 
A  kid,  a  kid. 

Then  came  the  cat  and  ate  the  kid 
That  my  father  bought 
For  two  pieces  of  money : 

A  kid,  a  kid. 

Then  came  the  dog  and  bit  the  cat, 
That  ate  the  kid, 
That  my  father  bought 
For  two  pieces  of  money : 

A  kid,  a  kid. 

Then  came  the  staff  and  beat  the  dog, 
That  bit  the  cat, 
That  ate  the  kid, 
That  my  father  bought 
For  two  pieces  of  money : 

A  kid,  a  kid. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  25 

Then  came  the  fire  and  burned  the  staff, 

That  beat  the  dog, 

That  bit  the  cat, 

That  ate  the  kid, 

That  my  father  bought 

For  two  pieces  of  money : 

A  kid,  a  kid. 


Then  came  the  water  and  quenched  the  fire, 

That  burned  the  staff, 

That  beat  the  dog, 

That  bit  the  cat, 

That  ate  the  kid, 

That  my  father  bought 

For  two  pieces  of  money : 

A  kid,  a  kid. 


Then  came  the  ox  and  drank  the  water 

That  quenched  the  fire, 

That  burned  the  staff, 

That  beat  the  dog, 

That  bit  the  cat, 

That  ate  the  kid, 

That  my  father  bought 

For  two  pieces  of  money : 

A  kid,  a  kid. 


26 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


Then  came  the  butcher  and  slew  the  ox, 

That  drank  the  water, 

That  quenched  the  fire, 

That  burned  the  staff, 

That  beat  the  dog, 

That  bit  the  cat, 

That  ate  the  kid, 

That  my  father  bought 

For  two  pieces  of  money  : 

A  kid,  a  kid. 


-ST. 


Then  came  the  angel  of  death  and  killed  the  butcher, 

That  slew  the  ox, 

That  drank  the  water, 

That  quenched  the  fire, 

That  burned  the  staff, 

That  beat  the  dog, 

That  bit  the  cat, 

That  ate  the  kid, 

That  my  father  bought 

For  two  pieces  of  money : 

A  kid,  a  kid. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  27 

Then  came  the  Holy  One,  blessed  is  He ! 

And  killed  the  angel  of  death, 

That  killed  the  butcher, 

That  slew  the  ox, 

That  drank  the  water, 

That  quenched  the  fire, 

That  burned  the  staff, 

That  beat  the  dog, 

That  bit  the  cat, 

That  ate  the  kid, 

That  my  father  bought 

For  two  pieces  of  money : 

A  kid,  a  kid. 


a.  p,  c. 

AB,C 
,  Tumble  down  D. 
Cat's  in  the  cupboard 
And  can't  see  me. 


28  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

€fje  Jf  ox  anb  Ste  Witt 

THE  fox  and  his  wife  they  had  a  great  strife, 
They  never  ate  mustard  in  all  their  whole  life; 
They  ate  their  meat  without  fork  or  knife, 
And  lov'd  to  be  picking  a  bone,  e-oh! 

The  fox,  jumped  up  on  a  moonlight  night; 
The  stars  they  were  shining,  and  all  things  bright ; 
"Oho!"  said  the  fox,  "it's  a  very  fine  night, 
For  me  to  go  through  the  town,  e-oh!" 

The  fox,  when  he  came  to  yonder  stile, 
He  lifted  his  lugs  and  listened  a  while! 
"  Oh,  oh! "  said  the  fox,  "it's  but  a  short  mile 
From  this  unto  yonder  wee  town,  e-oh!" 

The  fox,  he  came  to  the  farmer's  gate, 
Who  should  he  see  but  the  farmer's  drake; 
"  I  love  you  well  for  your  master's  sake, 
And  long  to  be  picking  your  bones,  e-oh!" 

The  gray  goose  she  ran  round  the  haystack, 
"Oh,  oh!"  said  the  fox,  "you  are  very  fat; 
You'll  grease  my  beard  and  ride  on  my  back, 
From  this  unto  yonder  wee  town,  e-oh!" 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  29 

The  farmer's  wife  she  jump'd  out  of  bed, 
And  out  of  the  window  she  popped  her  head! 
"Oh,  husband!  oh,  husband!  the  geese  are  all  dead, 
For  the  fox  has  been  through  the  town,  e-oh!" 

The  farmer  he  loaded  his  pistol  with  lead, 
And  shot  the  old  rogue  of  a  fox  through  the  head; 
"Ah,  ah!"  said  the  farmer,  "I  think  you're  quite  dead; 
And  no  more  you'll  trouble  the  town,  e-oh!" 

fflp  Ha&p  Wiub 

MY  lady  Wind,  my  lady  Wind, 
Went  round  about  the  house  to  find 
A  chink  to  get  her  foot  in; 
She  tried  the  keyhole  in  the  door, 
She  tried  the  crevice  in  the  floor, 
And  drove  the  chimney  soot  in. 

And  then  one  night,  when  it  was  dark, 
She  blew  up  such  a  tiny  spark, 
That  all  the  house  was  pothered; 
From  it  she  raised  up  such  a  flame, 
As  flamed  away  to  belting  lane, 
And  White  Cross  folks  were  smothered. 

And  thus  when  once,  my  little  dears, 
A  whisper  reaches  itching  ears, 
The  same  will  come,  you'll  find; 
Take  my  advice,  restrain  the  tongue, 
Remember  what  old  nurse  has  sung 
Of  busy  lady  Wind. 


3Q 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


little  fack  Corner 

LITTLE  Jack  Horner  sat  in  a  corner, 
Eating  a  Christmas  pie ; 
He  put  in  his  thumb,  and  took  out  a  plum, 
And  said,  "What  a  brave  boy  am  I!" 


1HAD  a  little  husband, 
No  bigger  than  my  thumb; 
I  put  him  in  a  pint  pot, 

And  then  I  bade  him  drum; 
I  bridled  him,  and  saddled  him, 

And  sent  him  out  of  town: 
I  gave  him  a  pair  of  garters 

To  tie  up  his  hose; 
And  a  little  silk  handkerchief, 

To  wipe  his  little  nose. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


3i 


1 46f  m 


I .  .-. .. 

;  W  lm 


acjere  ^as  a  Jollp  Jfliller 

THERE  was  a  jolly  miller 
Lived  on  the  river  Dee : 
He  worked  and  sung  from  morn  till  night, 
No  lark  so  blithe  as  he. 
And  this  the  burden  of  his  song 
Forever  used  to  be, — 
"  I  jump  me  jerrime  jee ! 
I  care  for  nobody,—  no!  not  I, 
Since  nobody  cares  for  me." 

Motrin  tjje  Potrtmt 

ROBIN  the  Bobbin,  the  big-bellied  Ben, 
He  eat  more  meat  than  fourscore  men; 
He  eat  a  cow,  he  eat  a  calf, 
He  eat  a  butcher  and  a  half, 
He  eat  a  church,  he  eat  a  steeple, 
He  eat  a  priest  and  all  the  people. 


32 


MOTHER  GOOSE    MELODIES 


_/SL 


W 


3  Habp  Hob'b  a  g>toine 

THERE  was  a  lady  lov'd  a  swine, 
"Honey,"  quoth  she, 
"Pig,  Hog,  wilt  thou  be  mine?" 
"Hoogh,"  quoth  he. 

"I'll  build  thee  a  silver  sty, 
Honey,"  quoth  she; 

"And  in  it  thou  shalt  lie," 
"Hoogh,"  quoth  he. 


"Pinn'd  with  a  silver  pin, 

Honey,"  quoth  she; 
"  That  you  may  go  out  and  in," 

"Hoogh,"  quoth  he. 


MOTHER   GOOSE    MELODIES 

1  Wilt  thou  have  me  now, 

Honey?"  quoth  she; 
'Hoogh,  hough,  hough,"  quoth  he, 

And  went  his  way. 


33 


TOMMY  TROT,  a  man  of  law, 
Sold  his  bed  and  lay  upon  straw; 
Sold  the  straw  and  slept  on  grass, 
To  buy  his  wife  a  looking-glass. 


Wyctt  plmb  Mtt 

THREE  blind  mice,  the  three  blind  mice. 
They  all  ran  after  the  farmer's  wife, 
Who  cut  off  their  tails  with  the  carving-knife. 


34 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


Wait?  Wax  a  Wzl&bman 

TAFFY  was  a  Welschman,  Taffy  was  a  thief, 
Taffy  came  to  my  house,  and  stole  a  piece  of  beef : 
I  went  to  Taffy's  house,  Taffy  was  not  at  home; 
Taffy  came  to  my  house,  and  stole  a  marrow-bone. 

I  went  to  Taffy's  house,  Taffy  was  not  in; 
Taffy  came  to  my  house,  and  stole  a  silver  pin; 
I  went  to  Taffy's  house,  Taffy  was  in  bed  ; 
I  took  up  a  poker  and  flung  it  at  his  head. 

&t.  Bunatan 

ST.  DUNSTAN,  as  the  story  goes, 
Once  pulled  the  devil  by  his  nose, 
With  red-hot  tongs,  which  made  him  roar, 
That  could  be  heard  ten  miles  or  more. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  35 

Jttarp  ^ab  a  pretty  Pttb 

MARY  had  a  pretty  bird, 
Feathers  bright  and  yellow, 
Slenderlegs— upon  my  word 
He  was  a  pretty  fellow. 

The  sweetest  note  he  always  sung, 

Which  much  delighted  Mary; 
She  often  where  the  cage  was  hung, 

Sat  to  hear  her  canary. 


GDfjere  Wa&  an  01b  ^oman 

THERE  was  an  old  woman  sat  spinning, 
And  that's  the  first  beginning ; 
And  she  had  a  calf, 
And  that's  half ; 
She  took  it  by  the  tail, 
And  threw  it  over  the  wall, 
And  that's  all ! 


^>ome  Utttle  Mitt 

SOME  little  mice  sat  in  a  barn  to  spin; 
Pussy  came  by,  and  she  popped  her  head  in: 
"Shall  I  come  in  and  cut  your  threads  off?" 
"Oh!  no,  kind  sir,  you  will  snap  our  heads  off !:: 


36  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 

Qtfjere  Wa&  an  ®lb  Woman 

THERE  was  an  old  woman,  as  I've  heard  tell, 
She  went  to  market  her  eggs  for  to  sell; 
She  went  to  market  all  on  a  market  day, 
And  she  fell  asleep  on  the  king's  highway. 

There  came  by  a  peddler  whose  name  was  Stout, 
He  cut  out  her  petticoats  all  round  about; 
He  cut  her  petticoats  up  to  the  knees, 
Which  made  the  old  woman  shiver  and  freeze. 

When  this  little  old  woman  first  did  wake, 
She  began  to  shiver  and  she  began  to  shake, 
She  began  to  wonder  and  she  began  to  cry, 
"Lauk  a  mercy  on  me,  this  is  none  of  I!" 

"But  if  it  be  I,  as  I  hope  it  be, 

I've  a  little  dog  at  home,  and  he'll  know  me; 

If  it  be  I,  he'll  wag  his  tail, 

And  if  it  be  not  I,  he'll  loudly  bark  and  wail!" 

Home  went  the  little  woman  all  in  the  dark, 
Up  got  the  little  dog,  and  he  began  to  bark ; 
He  began  to  bark,  so  she  began  to  cry, 
"  Lauk  a  mercy  on  me,  this  can't  be  I. " 


"  He  began  to  bark,  so  she  began  to  cry, 
'  Lauk  a  mercy  on  me,  this  can't  be  I.'  " 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


37 


®r.  $  oater 

DR.  FOSTER  went  to  Gloucester, 
In  a  shower  of  rain, 
He  stepped  in  a  puddle  up  to  his  middle, 
And  never  went  there  again. 


OLD  Dr.  Foster  went  to  Gloster, 
To  preach  the  word  of  God; 
When  he  came  there,  he  sat  in  a  chair, 
And  gave  all  the  people  a  nod. 


38 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


little  5 ennp  Wun 

LITTLE  Jenny  Wren  fell  sick  upon  a  time, 
When  in  came  Robin  Redbreast,  and  brought  her  bread 
and  wine; 
"Eat,  Jenny,  drink,  Jenny,  all  shall  be  thine!" 
Then  Jenny  she  got  better,  and  she  stood  upon  her  feet, 
And  says  to  little  Robin,  "I  love  thee  not  a  bit!" 
Then  Robin  he  was  angry  and  flew  upon  a  twig, 
"Hoot  upon  thee,  fie  upon  thee,  ungrateful  chit!" 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  39 

Wi)t  l^eb&mg  of  3tnuy  Wxtn 

SAYS  Robin  to  Jenny,  "If  you  will  be  mine, 
We'll  have  cherry  tart,  and  drink  currant  wine." 
So  Jenny  consented— the  day  was  nam'd, 
The  joyful  news  the  cock  proclaim'd. 

Together  came  the  Rook  and  Lark, 
One  was  the  parson,  the  other  clerk: 
The  Goldfinch  gave  the  bride  away, 
Who  promised  always  to  obey. 

The  feathered  tenants  of  the  air, 
Towards  the  feast  gave  each  a  share; 
Some  brought  grain,  and  some  brought  meat, 
Some  brought  savours,  some  brought  sweet; 

And  as  it  was  most  pleasant  weather, 
The  jovial  party  dined  together, 
And  long  did  Robin  and  his  mate, 
Live  in  the  happy  married  state. 

Till,  doleful  to  relate!  one  day 

A  Hawk  with  Jenny  flew  away, 

And  Robin,  by  the  cruel  sparrow, 

Was  shot  quite  dead  with  bow  and  arrow. 


( ill! 


lirrfr 


2&* 


40  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


Simple  &tmon 

SIMPLE  SIMON  met  a  pieman, 
Going  to  the  fair : 
Says  Simple  Simon  to  the  pieman, 
"  Let  me  taste  your  ware." 


Says  the  pieman  to  Simple  Simon, 

"  Shew  me  first  your  penny  "  ; 
Says  Simple  Simon  to  the  pieman, 

"  I  have  not  got  any." 

Simple  Simon  went  to  town, 

To  buy  a  piece  of  meat : 
He  tied  it  to  his  horse's  tail 

To  keep  it  clean  and  sweet. 

Simple  Simon  went  out  fishing, 

For  to  catch  a  whale  : 
All  the  water  he  had  got 

Was  in  his  mother's  pail. 

Simple  Simon  went  to  look 
If  plums  grew  on  a  thistle  ; 

He  pricked  his  finger  very  much, 
Which  made  poor  Simon  whistle. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  41 


jfyub  a  JBnb  Bui) 


HUB  a  dub  dub, 
Three  men  in  a  tub ; 
The  butcher,  the  baker, 
The  candlestick-maker 
They  all  fell  out  of  a  rotten  potato 


JLittit  %atk=a=1Banbp 


LITTLE  Jack-a-Dandy, 
Loved  plum  cake  and  sugar-candy, 
He  bought  some  at  a  grocer's  shop, 
And  out  he  came,  hop,  hop,  hop. 


Mm,  Song,  Pell 


DING,  dong,  bell, 
Puss 's  in  the  well ! 
Who  put  her  in, 
Little  Tommy  Lin : 
Who  pulled  her  out, 
Dog  with  a  long  snout ; 
What  a  trick  was  that, 
To  drown  my  granny's  cat, 
Who  never  did  any  harm, 
But  catch  the  mice  in  the  barn. 


42 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


ROBIN  Hood,  Robin  Hood, 
Is  in  the  mickle  wood ! 
Little  John,  Little  John, 
He  to  the  town  is  gone. 


Robin  Hood,  Robin  Hood, 

Is  telling  his  beads, 
All  in  the  green  wood, 

Among  the  green  weeds. 

Little  John,  Little  John, 
If  he  comes  no  more, 

Robin  Hood,  Robin  Hood, 
He  will  fret  full  sore ! 


Jfee,  Jfie,  Jf o  Jf urn 

FEE,  Fie,  Fo  Fum, 
I  smell  the  blood  of  an  Englishman, 
Be  he  alive  or  be  he  dead, 
I'll  grind  his  bones  to  make  my  bread. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


43 


Wfytvt  &re  Son  #oing,  Mv  $rettp  Jlmti? 


WHERE  are  you  going,  my  pretty 
maid  ?" 
"I'm  going  a  milking,  sir,"  she  said. 
"May  I  go  with  you,  my  pretty  maid?" 
"You're  kindly  welcome,  sir,"  she  said. 
"What  is  your  father,  my  pretty  maid  ?" 
"My  father's  a  farmer,  sir,"  she  said. 
"What  is  your  fortune,  my  pretty  maid  ?" 
"My  face  is  my  fortune,  sir,"  she  said. 
"Then  I  can't  marry  you,  my  pretty  maid !" 
"Nobody  asked  you,  sir,"  she  said. 

<&i)  <piea£e  to  Remember 

OH  please  to  remember  the  fifth  of  November, 
The  season  of  the  gunpowder  plot, 
I  see  no  reason  why  the  gunpowder  treason 
Should  ever  be  forgot. 


44  MOTHER  GOOSE    MELODIES 


w 


Wfytn  <&oob  &mg  &rtfmr 

HEN  good  King  Arthur  ruled  this  land, 
He  was  a  goodly  king; 
He  stole  three  pecks  of  barley-meal, 
To  make  a  bag-pudding. 

A  bag-pudding  the  king  did  make, 
And  stuffed  it  well  with  plums; 

And  in  it  put  great  lumps  of  fat, 
As  big  as  my  two  thumbs. 


The  king  and  queen  did  eat  thereof, 

And  noblemen  beside; 
And  what  they  could  not  eat  that  night, 

The  queen  next  morning  fried. 


QHjere  Wtxt  Etoo  Cat* 

THERE  were  two  cats  of  Kilkenny, 
Each  thought  there  was  one  cat  too  many, 
So  they  fought  and  they  fit, 
And  they  scratched  and  they  bit, 
Till,  excepting  their  nails 
And  the  tips  of  their  tails, 
Instead  of  two  cats  there  weren't  any. 


"  The  King  and  Queen  did  eat  thereof, 
And  noblemen  beside." 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  45 


Jack  tie  iltmble 

JACK  be  nimble, 
Jack  be  quick, 
Jack  jump  over  the  candlestick. 


Wfytxt  Wu$  an  (Bib  ^oman 

THERE  was  an  old  woman  of  Norwich, 
Who  lived  on  nothing  but  porridge  ! 
Parading  the  town, 
She  turned  cloak  into  gown ! 
This  thrifty  old  woman  of  Norwich. 

There  was  an  old  woman  of  Leeds, 
Who  spent  all  her  time  in  good  deeds ; 
She  worked  for  the  poor, 
Till  her  fingers  were  sore, 

This  pious  old  woman  of  Leeds ! 


EGGS,  cheese,  butter,  bread, 
Stick,  stock,  stone,  dead, 
Stick  him  up,  stick  him  down, 
Stick  him  in  the  old  man's  crown. 


46 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


Hittlt  Po=$eep 

LITTLE  Bo-peep  has  lost  her  sheep, 
And  can't  tell  where  to  find  them  : 
Let  them  alone,  and  they'll  come  home, 
And  bring  their  tails  behind  them. 

Little  Bo-peep  fell  fast  asleep, 

And  dreamt  she  heard  them  bleating : 

But  when  she  awoke,  she  found  it  a  joke, 
For  they  still  were  all  fleeting. 


Then  up  she  took  her  little  crook, 

Determin'd  for  to  find  them : 
She  found  them  indeed,  but  it  made  her  heart  bleed 

For  they'd  left  their  tails  behind  them. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


47 


It  happen' d  one  day,  as  Bo-peep  did  stray, 

Unto  a  meadow  hard  by  : 
There  she  espy'd  their  tails  side  by  side, 

All  hung  on  a  tree  to  dry. 

She  heav'd  a  sigh,  and  wip'd  her  eye, 
And  over  the  hillocks  went  stump-o ; 

And  tried  what  she  could,  as  a  shepherdess  should, 
To  hook  again  each  on  its  rump-o. 

&toeeble=bum  anb  GTtoeeble=bee 

TWEEDLE-DUM  and  Tweedle-dee 
Resolved  to  have  a  battle, 
For  Tweedle-dum  said  Tweedle-dee 
Had  spoiled  his  nice  new  rattle. 

Just  then  flew  by  a  monstrous  crow, 

As  big  as  a  tar  barrel, 
Which  frightened  both  the  heroes  so, 

They  quite  forgot  their  quarrel. 

©mgtp  Bibblebp 

DINGTY  diddledy, 
My  mammy's  maid, 
She  stole  oranges, 

I  am  afraid ; 
Some  in  her  pocket, 

Some  in  her  sleeve, 
She  stole  oranges, 
I  do  believe. 


48  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


Cfjere  Wa$  an  ©lb  &oman 

THERE  was  an  old  woman  who  lived  in  a  shoe, 
She  had  so  many  children  she  didn't  know  what  to  do; 
She  gave  them  some  broth  without  any  bread, 
She  whipped  them  all  well  and  put  them  to  bed. 


MttMt,  Seebie,  ©umpltng 

DEEDLE,  deedle,  dumpling,  my  son  John, 
Went  to  bed  with  his  trousers  on ; 
One  shoe  off,  the  other  shoe  on, 
Deedle,  deedle,  dumpling,  my  son  John. 


gep  Bing°a°9tng 

HEY  ding-a-ding,  what  shall  I  sing ? 
How  many  holes  in  a  skimmer  ? 
Four  and  twenty,— my  stomach  is  empty  ; 
Pray,  mamma,  give  me  some  dinner. 


(Abed) 

FORMED  long  ago,  yet  made  to-day, 
Employed  while  others  sleep ; 
What  few  would  like  to  give  away, 
Nor  any  wish  to  keep. 


There  was  an  old  woman  who  lived  in  a  shoe, 

She  had  so  many  children  she  didn't  know  what  to  do; 

She  gave  them  some  broth  without  any  bread, 

She  whipped  them  all  soundly  and  sent  them  to  bed." 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


49 


COCK  a  doodle  doo, 
My  dame  has  lost  her  shoe  ; 
And  my  master's  lost  his  fiddle  stick, 
And  don't  know  what  to  do. 

Cock  a  doodle  doo, 

What  is  my  dame  to  do  ? 

Till  master  finds  his  fiddling  stick, 

She'll  dance  without  her  shoe. 

Cock  a  doodle  doo, 

My  dame  has  found  her  shoe, 

And  my  master  has  found  his  fiddling  stick, 

Sing  doodle  doodle  doo. 

Cock  a  doodle  doo, 

My  dame  will  dance  with  you, 

While  my  master  fiddles  his  fiddling  stick, 

For  dame  and  doodle  doo. 


5o  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


A  FROG  he  would  a-wooing  go, 
Whether  his  mother  would  let  him  or  no ; 
With  a  roily  polly,  gammon,  and  spinach 
Heigh  ho !  said  Anthony  Roily. 

So  off  he  set  with  his  opera  hat, 
And  on  the  road  he  met  with  a  rat. 
With  a  roily,  etc. 

"  Pray,  Mr.  Rat,  will  you  go  with  me 
Kind  Mrs.  Mousey  for  to  see  ?  " 
With  a  roily,  etc. 

When  they  came  to  the  door  of  Mousey 's  Hall 
They  gave  a  loud  knock  and  they  gave  a  loud  call, 
With  a  roily,  etc. 

"  Pray,  Mrs.  Mouse,  are  you  within  ?  " 
"  Oh  yes,  kind  sirs,  I'm  sitting  to  spin." 
With  a  roily,  etc. 

"  Pray,  Mrs.  Mouse,  will  you  give  us  some  beer  ? 
For  Froggy  and  I  are  fond  of  good  cheer." 
With  a  roily,  etc. 

"  Pray,  Mr.  Frog,  will  you  give  us  a  song  ? 
But  let  it  be  something  that's  not  very  long." 
With  a  roily,  etc. 


"  He  took  up  his  hat  and  he  wished  them  good  night." 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  5i 

"  Indeed,  Mrs.  Mouse,"  replied  the  frog, 
"  A  cold  has  made  me  hoarse  as  a  hog." 
With  a  roily,  etc. 

"Since  you  have  caught  cold,  Mr.  Frog,"  Mousey  said, 
"  I'll  sing  you  a  song  that  I  have  just  made." 
With  a  roily,  etc. 

But  while  they  were  all  a-merry  making 
The  cat  and  the  kittens  came  tumbling  in. 
With  a  roily,  etc. 

The  cat  he  seized  the  rat  by  the  crown, 

The  kittens  they  pull'd  the  little  mouse  down. 

With  a  roily,  etc. 

This  put  Mr.  Frog  in  a  terrible  fright, 

He  took  up  his  hat  and  he  wished  them  good  night. 

With  a  roily,  etc. 

But  as  Froggy  was  crossing  over  a  brook 
A  terrible  duck  came  and  gobbled  him  up. 
With  a  roily,  etc. 

So  there  was  an  end  of  one,  two,  and  three, 
The  Rat,  the  Mouse,  and  the  little  Froggee. 
With  a  roily  polly,  gammon,  and  spinach 
Heigh  ho !  said  Anthony  Roily. 


52 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


Cfjere  Wa&  a  Jf rog  Xtb'b  tit  a  ^ell 

THERE  was  a  frog  liv'd  in  a  well, 
Kitty  alone,  Kitty  alone, 
There  was  a  frog  liv'd  in  a  well, 
Kitty  alone  and  I. 
There  was  a  frog  liv'd  in  a  well, 
And  a  merry  mouse  in  a  mill, 
Cock  me  cary,  Kitty  alone, 
Kitty  alone  and  I. 


This  frog  he  would  a- wooing  ride, 

Kitty  alone,  &c. 
This  frog  he  would  a  wooing  ride, 
And  on  a  snail  he  got  astride, 

Cock  me  cary,  &c. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  53 

He  rode  till  he  came  to  Lady  Mouse  hall, 

Kitty  alone,  &c. 
And  there  he  did  both  knock  and  call, 

Cock  me  cary,  &c. 

Quoth  he,  "  Miss  Mouse,  I'm  come  to  thee," 

Kitty  alone,  &c. 
Quoth  he,  "  Miss  Mouse,  I'm  come  to  thee, 
To  see  if  thou  canst  fancy  me," 

Cock  me  cary,  &c. 

Quoth  she,  "answer  I'll  give  you  none," 

Kitty  alone,  &c. 
Quoth  she,  "  answer  I'll  give  you  none 
Until  my  uncle  Rat  comes  home," 

Cock  me  cary,  &c. 

And  when  her  uncle  Rat  came  home, 

Kitty  alone,  &c. 
And  when  her  uncle  Rat  came  home, 
"  Who's  been  here  since  I've  been  gone  ?" 

Cock  me  cary,  &c. 

"Sir,  there's  been  a  worthy  gentleman," 

Kitty  alone,  &c. 
"  Sir,  there's  been  a  worthy  gentleman, 
That's  been  here  since  you've  been  gone," 

Cock  me  cary,  &c. 


54  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 

The  frog  he  came  whistling  through  the  brook, 

Kitty  alone,  &c. 
The  frog  he  came  whistling  through  the  brook, 
And  there  he  met  a  dainty  duck. 

Cock  me  cary,  &c. 

This  duck  she  swallow' d  him  up  with  a  pluck, 

Kitty  alone,  Kitty  alone, 
This  duck  she  swallow'd  him  up  with  a  pluck, 
So  ther's  an  end  of  my  history  book. 

Cock  me  cary,  Kitty  alone, 

Kitty  alone  and  I. 


Cfje  <&uttn  of  Jlearte 

THE  Queen  of  Hearts, 
She  made  some  tarts, 
All  on  a  summer's  day  : 
The  Knave  of  Hearts, 
He  stole  those  tarts, 

And  with  them  ran  away. 

The  King  of  Hearts 
Called  for  the  tarts, 

And  beat  the  Knave  full  sore ; 
The  Knave  of  Hearts 
Brought  back  the  tarts, 

And  vowed  he'd  steal  no  more. 


'  The  Knave  of  Hearts 
Brought  back  the  tarts, 
And  vowed  he'd  steal  no  more. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


55 


WW  &re  kittle  Pops;  jftlabe  of? 

WHAT  are  little  boys  made  of? 
What  are  little  boys  made  of? 
Snaps  and  snails,  and  puppy-dogs'  tails ; 
And  that's  what  little  boys  are  made  of. 

What  are  little  girls  made  of? 
What  are  little  girls  made  of? 
Sugar  and  spice,  and  all  that's  nice ; 
And  that's  what  little  girls  are  made  of. 


&tbe  to  tfje  Jfflarfcet 

RIDE  to  the  market  to  buy  a  fat  pig, 
Home  again,  home  again,  jiggety-jig ; 
Ride  to  the  market  to  buy  a  fat  hog, 
Home  again,  home  again,  jiggety-jog. 


v~. 


H 


56  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

£s>ee,  g>ee! 

SEE,  see  !  what  shall  I  see  ? 
A  horse's  head  where  its  tail  should  be. 

Htcfeetp,  l&itkzty,  ®ock 

ZICKETY,  dickety,  dock, 
The  mouse  ran  up  the  clock; 
The  clock  struck  one, 
Down  the  mouse  run, 
Zickety,  dickety,  dock. 

[The  later  and  familiar  version.] 

ICKORY,  dickory,  dock 
The  mouse  ran  up  the  clock ; 
The  clock  struck  one, 
The  mouse  ran  down, 
Hickory,  dickory,  dock. 

&ee  a  $tn 

SEE  a  pin  and  pick  it  up, 
All  the  day  you'll  have  good  luck ; 
See  a  pin  and  let  it  lay, 
Bad  luck  you'll  have  all  the  day. 

At.  &tottf»n'g  ®ap 

ST.  SWITHIN'S  day  if  thou  dost  rain, 
For  forty  days  it  will  remain : 
St.  Swithin's  day  if  thou  be  fair, 
For  forty  days  'twill  rain  na  mair. 


\ 


1 


"  Hickory,  dickory,  dock, 
The  mouse  ran  up  the  clock, 
The  clock  struck  one, 
The  mouse  ran  down, 
Hickory,  dickory,  dock." 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  57 


9  jfflan  of  Wotlte 

A  MAN  of  words  and  not  of  deeds 
Is  like  a  garden  full  of  weeds ; 
And  when  the  weeds  begin  to  grow, 
It's  like  a  garden  full  of  snow ; 
And  when  the  snow  begins  to  fall, 
It's  like  a  bird  upon  the  wall ; 
And  when  the  bird  away  does  fly, 
It's  an  eagle  in  the  sky ; 
And  when  the  sky  begins  to  roar, 
It's  like  a  lion  at  the  door ; 
And  when  the  door  begins  to  crack, 
It's  like  a  stick  across  your  back ; 
And  when  your  back  begins  to  smart, 
It's  like  a  penknife  in  your  heart ; 
And  when  your  heart  begins  to  bleed, 
You're  dead,  and  dead,  and  dead  indeed. 


&  £s>toarm  of  pees; 

A  SWARM  of  bees  in  May, 
Is  worth  a  load  of  hay ; 
A  swarm  of  bees  in  June, 
Is  worth  a  silver  spoon  ; 
A  swarm  of  bees  in  July, 
Is  not  worth  a  fly. 


58  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


! 


GOOSY  goosy  gander ! 
Where  shall  I  wander? 
Upstairs  and  downstairs, 

And  in  my  lady's  chamber  ; 
There  I  met  an  old  man, 

That  would  not  say  his  prayers. 
I  took  him  by  the  left  leg, 
And  threw  him  down  stairs. 


(A  rainbow) 

PURPLE,  yellow,  red,  and  green, 
The  king  cannot  reach  it  nor  the  queen ; 
Nor  did  old  Noll  whose  power's  so  great. 
Tell  me  this  riddle  while  I  count  eight. 


(A  candle) 

LITTLE  Nancy  Etticoat, 
In  a  white  petticoat ; 
The  longer  she  stands, 
The  shorter  she  grows. 


L 


(A  tongs) 
ONG  legs,  crooked  thighs, 
Little  head  and  no  eyes. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


59 


Etoo  £egs  g>at  on  Wfyxtz  Hega 

TWO  legs  sat  on  three  legs, 
With  one  leg  in  his  lap  ; 
In  comes  four  legs, 
And  runs  away  with  one  leg, 
Up  jumps  two  legs, 
Catches  up  three  legs, 
Throws  it  after  four  legs 
And  makes  him  bring  one  leg  back. 


AS  I  was  going  to  sell  my  eggs, 
I  met  a  man  with  bandy  legs, 
Bandy  legs  and  crooked  toes, 
I  tripped  up  his  heels  and  he  fell  on  his  nose. 


6o  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


3Baa,  $£aa,  JUacfc  Sfjeep 

BAA,  baa,  Black  Sheep,  have  you  any  wool? 
Yes,  marry,  sir,  three  bags  full, 
One  for  my  master,  one  for  the  dame, 
One  for  the  little  boy  that  lives  in  the  lane. 


T 


(Teeth  and  gums) 

HIRTY  white  horses  on  a  red  hill 
Now  they  tramp,  now  they  champ,  now  they 
stand  still. 


(Cherry) 


AS  I  went  through  the  garden  gap, 
Who  should  I  meet  but  Dick  Red-cap ! 
A  stick  in  his  hand,  a  stone  in  his  throat. 
If  you'll  tell  me  this  riddle,  I'll  give  you  a  groat. 


PEASE-PORRIDGE  hot,  pease-porridge  cold, 
Pease-porridge  in  the  pot,  nine  days  old. 
Spell  me  that  in  four  letters. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


61 


eiitabtti),  Ctepetf) 

ELIZABETH,  Elspeth,  Betsy,  and  Bess, 
They  all  went  together  to  seek  a  bird's  nest. 
They  found  one  with  five  eggs  in, 
They  each  took  one,  and  left  four  in. 


Come,  putter,  Come 

COME,  butter,  come, 
Come,  butter,  come ! 
Peter  stands  at  the  gate 
Waiting  for  a  butter  cake ; 
Come,  butter,  come. 


9*  3  Wax  #oms  to  6t.  3toe* 

AS  I  was  going  to  St.  Ives, 
I  met  a  man  with  seven  wives, 
Every  wife  had  seven  sacks, 
Every  sack  had  seven  cats, 
Every  cat  had  seven  kits  ; 
Kits,  cats,  sacks,  and  wives, 
How  many  were  going  to  St.  Ives  ? 


62 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


W$txt  W$&  an  <&lb  ^oman 

THERE  was  an  old  woman  toss'd  up  in  a  blanket, 
Ninety-nine  times  as  high  as  the  moon  : 
But  where  she  was  going  no  mortal  could  tell, 
For  under  her  arm  she  carried  a  broom. 


"  Old  woman,  old  woman,  old  woman,"  said  I, 
''-  Whither,  ah  !  whither,  whither,  whither  so  high  ? 
"  Oh !  I'm  sweeping  the  cobwebs  off  the  sky, 
And  I'll  be  with  you  by  and  by." 


G 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  63 

#ap  #0  WLp  anb  <§ap  <§o  Boton 

AY  go  up  and  gay  go  down, 

To  ring  the  bells  of  London  Town. 

Bull's  eyes  and  targets, 

Say  the  bells  of  St.  Marg'ret's. 

Brickbats  and  tiles, 
Say  the  bells  of  St.  Giles. 

Halfpence  and  farthin's, 
Say  the  bells  of  St.  Martin's. 

Oranges  and  lemons, 

Say  the  bells  at  St.  Clement's. 

Pancakes  and  fritters, 
Say  the  bells  at  St.  Peter's. 

Two  sticks  and  an  apple, 
Say  the  bells  at  Whitechapel. 

Old  Father  Baldpate, 

Say  the  slow  bells  at  Aldgate. 

You  owe  me  ten  shillings, 
Say  the  bells  at  St.  Helen's. 

When  will  you  pay  me  ? 
Say  the  bells  at  Old  Bailey. 


64 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


When  I  shall  grow  rich, 
Say  the  bells  at  Shoreditsh. 

Pray,  when  will  that  be  ? 
Say  the  bells  at  Stepney. 

I  am  sure  I  don't  know, 
Says  the  great  bell  at  Bow.'4 

Jlopg  anb  <§irte 

BOYS  and  girls,  come  out  to  play, 
The  moon  does  shine  as  bright  as  day ; 
Leave  your  supper  and  leave  your  sleep, 
And  come  with  your  play-fellows  into  the  street. 
Come  with  a  whistle,  come  with  a  call, 
Come  with  a  good  will  or  not  at  all. 
Up  the  ladder  and  down  the  wall, 
A  halfpenny  roll  will  serve  us  all. 
You  find  milk  and  I'll  find  flour, 
And  we'll  have  pudding  in  half  an  hour. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


65 


#eter  Wt)itt 


PETER  White  will  never 
go  right, 
And  would  you  know  the 

reason  why  ? 
He  follows  his  nose 

Wherever  he  goes, 
And  that  stands  all  awry. 


66 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


tyfytxt  Watt  an  #lb  ^oman 

THERE  was  an  old  woman  of  Surrey, 
Who  was  morn,  noon,  and  night  in  a  hurry; 
Called  her  husband  a  fool, 
Drove  the  children  to  school, 
The  worrying  old  woman  of  Surrey. 

Jfflattfjeto,  Jfflarfe,  Hufee 

MATTHEW,  Mark,  Luke,  and  John, 
Bless  the  bed  that  I  lye  on ! 
And  blessed  guardian-angel  keep 
Me  safe  from  danger  whilst  I  sleep  ! 

#eorgte  iPorgte 

GEORGIE  PORGIE,  pudding  and  pie, 
Kissed  the  girls  and  made  them  cry; 
When  the  girls  came  out  to  play, 
Georgie  Porgie  ran  away. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  67 

TLtt  Wis  <§o  to  tfje  Woob& 

LET  us  go  to  the  woods,"  says  this  little  pig ; 
"  What  to  do  there  ?  "  says  that  pig  ; 
"  To  look  for  my  mother,"  says  this  pig  ; 
"  What  to  do  with  her  ?  "    says  that  pig ; 
"  Kiss  her  to  death,"  says  this  pig. 

Ismail,  Strati 

SNAIL,  snail, 
Come  out  of  your  hole, 
Or  else  I  will  beat  you 
As  black  as  a  coal. 

RIDE  a  cock  horse  to  Banbury  cross, 
To  see  an  old  lady  upon  a  white  horse, 
Rings  on  her  fingers,  bells  on  her  toes, 
She  will  have  music  wherever  she  goes. 

&nna  Clfee 

ANNA  ELISE,  she  jumped  with  surprise, 
The  surprise  was  so  quick,  it  played  her  a  trick. 
The  trick  was  so  rare,  she  jumped  in  a  chair ; 
The  chair  was  so  frail,  she  jumped  in  a  pail ; 
The  pail  was  so  wet,  she  jumped  in  a  net ; 
The  net  was  so  small,  she  jumped  on  the  ball ; 
The  ball  was  so  round,  she  jumped  on  the  ground ; 
And  ever  since  then,  she's  been  turning  around. 


68  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


<&lb  Hmg  Cole 

OLD  King  Cole 
Was  a  merry  old  soul, 
And  a  merry  old  soul  was  he ; 
And  he  called  for  his  pipe, 
And  he  called  for  his  glass, 
And  he  called  for  his  fiddlers  three. 
And  every  fiddler,  he  had  a  fine  fiddle, 
And  a  very  fine  fiddle  had  he  ; 

"  Tweedledee,  tweedledee,"  said  the  fiddlers. 
Oh  there's  none  so  rare, 
As  can  compare, 
With  King  Cole  and  his  fiddlers  three. 


<&lb  Hing  Coel 

[Older  Version.) 

OLD  King  Coel 
Was  a  merry  old  soul, 
And  a  merry  old  soul  was  he ; 
Old  King  Coel 
He  sat  in  his  hole, 

And  called  for  his  fiddlers  three. 
And  every  fiddler,  he  had  a  fine  fiddle, 
And  a  very  fine  fiddle  had  he ; 

"  Tweedledee,  tweedledee,"  said  the  fiddlers  three. 


"  Old  King  Cole 
Was  a  merry  old  soul." 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  69 


The  first,  he  was  a  miller ; 
The  second,  he  was  a  weaver ; 
The  third,  he  was  a  tailor ; 
And  all  were  rogues  together. 


The  miller,  he  stole  corn ; 
The  weaver,  he  stole  yarn  ; 
The  little  tailor  stole  broadcloth, 
To  keep  the  three  rogues  warm. 


The  miller  was  drown'd  in  his  dam  ; 
The  weaver  was  hung  in  his  loom  ; 
And  the  devil  ran  away  with  the  little  tailor, 
With  the  broadcloth  under  his  arm. 


HUSH-a-bye,  baby,  on  the  tree  top, 
When  the  wind  blows,  the  cradle  will  rock ; 
When  the  bough  bends,  the  cradle  will  fall, 
Down  will  come  baby,  bough,  cradle,  and  all. 


BYE,  baby  bunting 
Daddy's  gone  a  hunting, 
To  get  a  little  hare's  skin, 
To  wrap  a  baby  bunting  in. 


7° 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


tEfjere  ^ere  W^xtt  fobtal  l^etefjmen 

THERE  were  three  jovial  Welshmen, 
As  I  have  heard  them  say, 
And  they  would  go  a-hunting 
Upon  St.  David's  day. 

All  the  day  they  hunted, 

And  nothing  could  they  find, 

But  a  ship  a-sailing, 
A-sailing  with  the  wind. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  71 

One  said  it  was  a  ship, 

The  other  he  said,  nay ; 
The  third  said  it  was  a  house, 

And  the  chimney  blown  away. 

And  all  the  night  they  hunted, 

And  nothing  could  they  find, 
But  the  moon  a-gliding, 

A-gliding  with  the  wind. 

One  said  it  was  the  moon, 
The  other  he  said,  nay ; 

The  third  said  it  was  a  cheese, 
And  half  o't  cut  away. 

THIS  little  Pig  went  to  market; 
This  little  Pig  staid  at  home ; 
This  little  Pig  had  a  bit  of  bread  and  butter ; 
This  little  Pig  had  none  ; 
This  little  Pig  said,  "  Wee,  wee,  wee  ! 
I  can't  find  my  way  home." 

[Later  and  familiar  version.] 

This  little  Pig  went  to  Market, 
This  little  Pig  staid  Home, 
This  little  Pig  had  roast  Beef, 
This  little  Pig  had  none, 
This  little  Pig  cried  wee,  wee,  wee, 
I  can't  find  my  way  home. 


72 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


<X 


3  J|ab  a  Little  $onp 

1HAD  a  little  pony, 
His  name  was  Dapple-grey, 
I  lent  him  to  a  lady, 

To  ride  a  mile  away  ; 
She  whipped  him,  she  slashed  him, 
She  rode  him  through  the  mire ; 
1  would  not  lend  my  pony  now 
For  all  the  lady's  hire. 


AS  Tommy  Snooks  and  Bessy  Brooks, 
Were  walking  out  one  Sunday, 
Says  Tommy  Snooks  to  Bessy  Brooks, 
"  Tomorrow  will  be  Monday." 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  73 


L 


IAR,  liar,  lick  spit; 
Turn  about  the  candlestick. 
What's  good  for  liar? 
Brimstone  and  fire. 


TELL-TALE,  tit! 
Your  tongue  shall  be  slit, 
And  all  the  dogs  in  our  town 
Shall  have  a  little  bit. 

MULTIPLICATION  is  vexation, 
Division  is  as  bad ; 
The  rule  of  three  does  puzzle  me, 
And  practice  drives  me  mad. 

ALL  hail  to  the  moon  !   all  hail  to  thee ! 
I  prithee,  good  moon,  declare  to  me 
This  night  who  my  husband  must  be  ! 

1HAD  a  little  sister,  they  call'd  her  peep,  peep, 
She  waded  the  waters  deep,  deep,  deep, 
She  climbed  up  the  mountain  high,  high,  high. 
Poor  little  sister  she  wanted  an  eye. 


74 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


l)te!  Dibble  Bibble 

HIE !  diddle  diddle, 
The  cat  and  the  fiddle, 
The  cow  jumped  over  the  moon, 
The  little  dog  laughed  to  see  such  sport, 
And  the  dish  ran  after  the  spoon. 

CURLY-LOCKS!   Curly-Locks!  wilt  thou  be  mine ? 
Thou  shalt  not  wash  dishes,  nor  yet  feed  the  swine 
But  sit  on  a  cushion,  and  sew  a  fine  seam, 
And  feed  upon  strawberries,  sugar,  and  cream ! 

parfcer,  parfcer 

BARBER,  barber,  shave  a  pig, 
How  many  hairs  will  make  a  wig  ? 
"  Four  and  twenty,  that's  enough." 
Give  the  poor  barber  a  pinch  of  snuff. 

9*  3  ^as;  Bering  Up  $tppen=fnll 

AS  I  was  going  up  Pippen-hill 
Pippen-hill  was  dirty, 
There  I  met  a  pretty  miss 
And  she  dropt  me  a  curtesy. 
"  Little  miss,  pretty  miss, 

Blessings  light  upon  you, 
If  I  had  a  half-a-crown  a  day, 
I'd  spend  it  all  upon  you." 


"Hie!  diddle  diddle, 

The  cat  and  the  fiddle, 
The  cow  jumped  over  the  mooa, 

The  little  dog  laughed  to  see  such  sport, 
And  the  dish  ran  after  the  spoon." 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


75 


THERE  was  a  little  boy  and  a  little  girl, 
Liv'd  in  an  alley ; 
Says  the  little  boy  to  the  little  girl, 
"Shall  I,  oh  shall  I?" 

Says  the  little  girl  to  the  little  boy, 

"What  shall  we  do?" 
Says  the  little  boy  to  the  little  girl, 

"  I  will  kiss  you." 


T 


HOMAS  a  DIDYMUS,  king  of  the  Jews, 
Jumped  into  the  fire  and  burned  both  his  shoes. 


WHAT  care  I  how  black  I  be, 
Twenty  pounds  will  marry  me  ; 
If  twenty  won't,  forty  shall, 
I  am  my  mother's  bouncing  girl. 


76 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


LITTLE  Robin  Redbreast  sat  upon  a  tree, 
Up  went  Pussycat,  and  down  went  he ; 
Down  came  Pussycat,  and  away  Robin  ran ; 
Says  little  Robin  Redbreast,  "Catch  me  if  you  can." 

Little  Robin  Redbreast  jumped  upon  a  wall, 
Pussycat  jumped  after  him,  and  almost  got  a  fall. 
Little  Robin  chirped  and  sang,  and  what  did  Pussy  say? 
Pussycat  said  "mew"  and  Robin  jumped  away. 


ADILLER,  a  dollar, 
A  ten  o'clock  scholar, 
What  makes  you  come  so  soon  ? 
You  us'd  to  come  at  ten  o'clock, 
And  now  you  come  at  noon. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


77 


Z\)t  Cat  &at  Asleep 

THE  cat  sat  asleep  by  the  side  of  the  fire, 
The  mistress  snored  loud  as  a  pig  : 
Jack  took  up  his  fiddle,  by  Jenny's  desire, 

And  struck  up  a  bit  of  a  jig. 
The  sow  came  in  with  the  saddle, 
The  little  pig  rocked  the  cradle, 
The  dish  jump'd  over  the  table, 
To  see  the  pot  with  the  ladle. 
The  broom  behind  the  butt 
Call'd  the  dish-clout  a  nasty  slut  : 

"  Odds-bobs,"  says  the  gridiron,  "  can't  you  agree  ? 

I'm  the  head  constable, — come  along  with  me." 


BOBBY  SHAFTO  is  gone  to  sea, 
With  silver  buckles  at  his  knee ; 
When  he'll  come  home  he'll  marry  me, 
Pretty  Bobby  Shafto ! 

Bobby  Shafto  is  fat  and  fair, 

Combing  down  his  yellow  hair ; 
He's  my  love  forevermore  ! 

Pretty  Bobby  Shafto ! 


78  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

TOM  he  was  a  piper's  son, 
He  learn'd  to  play  when  he  was  young, 
And  all  the  tunes  that  he  could  play, 
Was  "  Over  the  hills  and  far  away," 
"  Over  the  hills,  and  a  great  way  off, 
And  the  wind  will  blow  my  topknot  off." 

Now  Tom  with  his  pipe  made  such  a  noise, 
That  he  pleas' d  both  the  girls  and  the  boys, 
And  they  stopp'd  to  hear  him  play 
"  Over  the  hills  and  far  away." 

Tom  with  his  pipe  did  play  with  such  skill, 
That  those  who  heard  him  could  never  keep  still ; 
Whenever  they  heard  they  began  for  to  dance, 
Even  pigs  on  their  hind  legs  would  after  him  prance. 

As  Dolly  was  milking  her  cow  one  day, 

Tom  took  out  his  pipe  and  began  for  to  play ; 

So  Dolly  and  the  cow  danced  the  Cheshire  round, 

Till  the  pail  was  broke  and  the  milk  ran  on  the  ground. 

He  met  Old  Dame  Trot  with  a  basket  of  eggs, 
He  used  his  pipe  and  she  used  her  legs ; 
She  danced  about  till  the  eggs  were  all  broke, 
She  began  for  to  fret,  but  he  laughed  at  the  joke. 


He  met  Old  Dame  Trot  with  a  basket  of  eggs 
He  used  his  pipe  and  she  used  her  legs." 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  79 

He  saw  a  cross  fellow  was  beating  an  ass, 
Heavy  laden  with  pots,  pans,  dishes,  and  glass ; 
He  took  out  his  pipe  and  played  them  a  tune. 
And  the  jackass's  load  was  lightened  full  soon. 

3  ftab  a  ^obbp^otzt 

1HAD  a  little  hobby-horse,  and  it  was  well  shod, 
It  carried  me  to  the  mill-door,  trod,  trod,  trod ; 
When  I  got  there  I  gave  a  great  shout, 
Down  came  the  hobby-horse,  and  I  cried  out. 
Fie  upon  the  miller,  he  was  a  great  beast, 
He  would  not  come  to  my  house,  I  made  a  great  feast ; 
I  had  but  little,  but  I  would  give  him  some, 
For  playing  of  his  bagpipes  and  beating  his  drum. 

©ante,  Utttle  Jlabp 

DANCE,  little  baby,  dance  up  high, 
Never  mind,  baby,  mother  is  by  ; 
Crow  and  caper,  caper  and  crow, 
There,  little  baby,  there  you  go. 
Up  to  the  ceiling,  down  to  the  ground, 
Backward  and  forward,  round  and  round ; 
Dance,  little  baby,  and  mother  will  sing, 
With  the  merry  coral,  ding,  ding,  ding. 


A 


(A  cinder) 
RIDDLE,  a  riddle,  as  I  suppose, 
A  hundred  eyes,  and  never  a  nose. 


8o 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


DICKERY,  dickery,  dare, 
The  pig  flew  up  in  the  air; 
The  man  in  brown  soon  brought  him  down, 
Dickery,  dickery,  dare. 

A  LITTLE  old  man  and  I  fell  out ; 
How  shall  we  bring  this  matter  about  ? 
Bring  it  about  as  well  as  you  can, 
Get  you  gone,  you  little  old  man  ! 

THE  rose  is  red,  the  violet's  blue, 
The  honey's  sweet,  and  so  are  you. 
Thou  art  my  love,  and  I  am  thine; 
I  drew  thee  to  my  valentine  ; 
The  lot  was  cast,  and  then  I  drew, 
And  fortune  said  it  should  be  you. 


"  Fee,  fo,  fi,  fum, 
I  smell  the  blood  of  an  Englishman, 
Be  he  alive  or  be  he  dead, 
I'll  grind  his  bones  to  make  my  bread." 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


81 


M  m  tye  g>ea  Wtvt  0nt  &ea 

IF  all  the  sea  were  one  sea, 
What  a  great  sea  that  would  be  ! 
And  if  all  the  trees  were  one  tree, 
What  a  great  tree  that  would  be  ! 

And  if  all  the  axes  were  one  axe, 
What  a  great  axe  that  would  be  ! 
And  if  all  the  men  were  one  man, 
What  a  great  man  that  would  be  ! 

And  if  the  great  man  took  the  great  axe, 
And  cut  down  the  great  tree, 

And  let  it  fall  into  the  great  sea, 
What  a  splish  splash  that  would  be  !  !  ! 


€ro*g=$atcf) 

CROSS-PATCH, 
Draw  the  latch, 
Sit  by  the  fire  and  spin ; 
Take  a  cup, 
And  drink  it  up, 
And  call  your  neighbors  in. 


OF  all  the  gay  birds  that  e'er  I  did  see, 
The  owl  is  the  fairest  by  far  to  me  ; 
For  all  the  day  long  she  sits  on  a  tree, 
And  when  night  comes  away  flies  she. 


82  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

®fjere  Wa*  a  little  jfflan  \ 

THERE  was  a  little  man, 
And  he  had  a  little  gun, 
And  his  bullets  were  made  of  lead,  lead,  lead. 
He  went  to  a  brook, 
And  fired  at  a  duck, 
And  shot  him  through  the  head,  head,  head. 

He  carried  it  home, 

To  his  old  wife  Joan, 

And  bid  her  a  fire  for  to  make,  make,  make. 

To  roast  the  little  duck 

He  'd  shot  in  the  brook, 

And  he'd  go  fetch  the  drake,  drake,  drake. 

The  drake  was  a  swimming, 

With  his  curly  tail; 

The  little  man  made  his  mark,  mark,  mark. 

He  let  off  his  gun, 

But  he  fir'd  too  soon, 

And  the  drake  flew  away  with  a  quack,  quack,  quack. 

S>eegato 

SEESAW,  Margery  Daw,  ) 

Jackey  shall  have  a  new  master ; 
He  shall  have  but  a  penny  a  day, 
Because  he  can't  work  any  faster. 


7T 


"And  fired  at  a  duck, 
And  shot  him  through  the  head,  head,  head. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


83 


HOW  many  miles  is  it  to  Babylon  ? 
Threescore  and  ten. 
Can  I  get  there  by  candle-light  ? 

Yes,  and  back  again. 
If  your  heels  are  nimble  and  light, 
You  may  get  there  by  candle-light. 


&ori*=a=bpe,  Pabp 

ROCK-A-BYE,  baby,  the  cradle  is  green; 
Father's  a  nobleman,  mother's  a  queen  ; 
And  Betty's  a  lady,  and  wears  a  gold  ring ; 
And  Johnny's  a  drummer,  and  drums  for  the  king. 


84 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

?|ous(e  Cfcat  Jack  putlt 

THIS  is  the  house  that  Jack  built. 

This  is  the  malt, 

That  lay  in  the  house  that  Jack  built. 

This  is  the  rat, 

That  ate  the  malt, 

That  lay  in  the  house  that  Jack  built. 


This  is  the  cat, 

That  kill'd  the  rat, 

That  ate  the  malt, 

That  lay  in  the  house  that  Jack  built. 


This  is  the  dog, 

That  worried  the  cat, 

That  kill'd  the  rat, 

That  ate  the  malt, 

That  lay  in  the  house  that  Jack  built. 

This  is  the  cow  with  a  crumpled  horn, 

That  tossed  the  dog, 

That  worried  the  cat, 

That  kill'd  the  rat, 

That  ate  the  malt, 

That  lay  in  the  house  that  Jack  built. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  85 

This  is  the  maiden  all  forlorn, 

That  milked  the  cow  with  a  crumpled  horn, 

That  tossed  the  dog, 

That  worried  the  cat, 

That  kill'd  the  rat, 

That  ate  the  malt, 

That  lay  in  the  house  that  Jack  built. 


This  is  the  man  all  tatter' d  and  torn, 

That  kissed  the  maiden  all  forlorn, 

That  milked  the  cow  with  a  crumpled  horn, 

That  tossed  the  dog, 

That  worried  the  cat, 

That  killed  the  rat, 

That  ate  the  malt, 

That  lay  in  the  house  that  Jack  built. 


This  is  the  priest  all  shaven  and  shorn, 

That  married  the  man  all  tatter'd  and  torn, 

That  kissed  the  maiden  all  forlorn, 

That  milked  the  cow  with  a  crumpled  horn, 

That  tossed  the  dog,  ^  J 

That  worried  the  cat, 

That  killed  the  rat, 

That  ate  the  malt, 

That  lay  in  the  house  that  Jack  built. 


86  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

This  is  the  cock  that  crow'd  in  the  morn, 

That  waked  the  priest  all  shaven  and  shorn, 

That  married  the  man  all  tattered  and  torn, 

That  kissed  the  maiden  all  forlorn, 

That  milked  the  cow  with  a  crumpled  horn. 

That  tossed  the  dog, 

That  worried  the  cat, 

That  killed  the  rat, 

That  ate  the  malt, 

That  lay  in  the  house  that  Jack  built. 

This  is  the  farmer  sowing  his  corn, 

That  kept  the  cock  that  crow'd  in  the  morn, 

That  wak'd  the  priest  all  shaven  and  shorn, 

That  married  the  man  all  tattered  and  torn, 

That  kissed  the  maiden  all  forlorn, 

That  milked  the  cow  with  a  crumpled  horn, 

That  tossed  the  dog, 

That  worried  the  cat, 

That  killed  the  rat, 

That  ate  the  malt, 

That  lay  in  the  house  that  Jack  built. 

labp  Pirb,  labp  iStrb 

LADY  bird,  lady  bird,  fly  away  home, 
Your  house  is  on  fire,  your  children  all  gone, 
All  but  one,  and  her  name  was  Ann, 
And  she  crept  under  the  pudding  pan. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


87 


<0ne  M&V  JWofetp  Jfflormng; 

ONE  misty  moisty  morning, 
When  cloudy  was  the  weather, 
There  I  met  an  old  man 
Clothed  all  in  leather ; 
Clothed  all  in  leather, 
With  cap  under  his  chin. 
How  do  you  do,  and  how  do  you  do. 
And  how  do  you  do  again  ? 

EabjKofc),  Habp=coto 

LADY-COW,  lady-cow,  fly  thy  way  home, 
Thy  house  is  on  fire,  thy  children  all  gone, 
All  but  one  that  lies  under  a  stone, 
Fly  thee  home,  lady-cow,  ere  it  be  gone. 


88  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

little  Pop  Plue 

LITTLE  BOY  BLUE 
come,  blow 

your  horn ! 
The  sheep's  in  the 

meadow,  the  cow's 

in  the  corn. 
Where's  the  little  boy 

that  looks  after 

the  sheep  ? 
Under  the  haystack 

fast  asleep. 

Cfje  <&lb  &oo£e  anb  %tx  Coaling* 

THE  old  Goose  lay  on  her  deathbed, 
And  to  her  Goslings  three  she  said : 
"  Brick  houses  build  with  roofs  of  tile, 
If  you  would  thwart  the  Fox's  guile." 

The  youngest  gosling,  Gliss  by  name, 
To  build  no  house  of  brick  would  aim. 
But  had  recourse  to  pine- wood  base, 
And  boxed  him  up  a  dwelling  place. 

The  Fox  came  prowling  from  the  wood, 
Quoth  he,  "  I  smell  my  evening  food, 
No  meat  is  half  so  sweet  to  me, 
As  tender  gosling  meat,"  quoth  he. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


89 


Then  from  the  wood-build  house  he  tore, 
Its  helpless  inmate,  and  him  bore 
Unto  the  callous  rocks  and  stones, 
And  there  devoured  him  body  and  bones. 

Then  Gloss,  the  second  Gosling  said : 
"  Give  me  no  paltry  wooden  shed, 
With  brick  I'll  build  for  my  defense, 
And  thatch  my  house  to  save  expense." 

He  thatched  his  house  and  in  it  lay. 
The  Fox  came  down  at  break  of  day, 
With  burning  torch  of  birch-tree  sprays, 
And  set  the  straw  roof  all  a-blaze. 


M 


And  as  his  victim  in  the  smoke, 
Went  flying  over  the  glades  of  oak, 
He  followed  him  until  he  fell, 
Then  ate  him  up  in  a  tangly  dell. 

And  the  third  Gosling  sad  was  he, 
His  only  name  was  Number  Three, 
To  whom  there  came  a  friendly  Drake 
With  "  Tile  your  house  all  safe  to  make." 

He  tiled  his  house  all  safe  to  make, 
And  from  the  window,  wide  awake, 
Mocked  at  the  Fox's  wily  prayer, 
"  Oh !  come  with  me  unto  the  fair." 


go  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


But  when  the  Fox  had  sneaked  away, 
Then  Number  Three  took  heart  to  play, 
And  gaily  to  the  fair  went  he, 
The  beast  and  beastesses  for  to  see. 


And  there,  behind  a  wood-ware  stand, 
He  saw  the  Elephant  so  grand, 
Among  whose  goods  he  took  a  turn, 
And  of  him  bought  a  bass-wood  churn. 


Then  homeward  hied  he  merrily,  till 
He  spied  the  red  Fox  under  the  hill, 
When  straight  into  the  churn  he  slipped, 
And  past  old  Reynard  rolled  and  skipped. 


Next  morn  the  hounds  were  on  their  game, 
And,  hot  with  haste,  old  Reynard  came, 
"  Oh,  hide  me  somewhere,  quick,"  cried  he  ; 
"  Get  into  my  churn,"  said  Number  Three. 


And  in  the  churn  when  him  he'd  got, 

He  filled  it  with  water,  piping  hot, 

"Oh!  now,"  said  he,  "his  tricks  I've  spoil'd," 

And  he  sat  on  the  lid  till  the  Fox  was  boil'd. 


"  Dogs  in  the  garden,  catch  'em,  Towser; 
Cows  in  the  cornfield,  run,  boys,  run; 
Cats  in  the  cream-pot,  run,  girls,  run; 
Fire  on  the  mountain,  run,  boys,  run." 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


9i 


9  Little  Cock  g>parroto 

A  LITTLE  cock  sparrow  sat  on  a  green  tree, 
And  he  chirruped,  he  chirruped,  so  merry  was  he; 
And  a  naughty  boy  came  with  a  wee  bow  and  arrow, 
Determined  to  shoot  this  little  cock  sparrow. 

"This  little  cock  sparrow  shall  make  me  a  stew, 
And  his  giblets  shall  make  me  a  little  pie  too." 
"Oh,  no!"  said  the  sparrow,  "I  won't  make  a  stew," 
And  he  flapped  his  wings  and  away  he  flew! 


O' 


0lh  ^oman,  ®lb  l^oman 

tLD  woman,  old  woman,  shall  we  go  a  shearing  ?  " 
"  Speak  a  little  louder,  sir,  I  am  very 
thick  of  hearing," 
"Old  woman,  old  woman,  shall  I  love 

you  dearly  ?  " 
"Thank  you,  kind  sir,  I  hear  you  very  clearly." 


92 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


^oMlebCoefe&ofrm? 


WHO  killed  Cock  Robin  ? 
"  I,"  said  the  Sparrow, 
"  With  my  bow  and  arrow, 
I  kill'd  Cock  Robin." 


Who  saw  him  die  ? 
"  I,"  said  the  Fly, 
"  With  my  little  eye, 
I  saw  him  die." 


Who  caught  his  blood  ? 
"  I,"  said  the  Fish, 
"  With  my  little  dish, 
I  caught  his  blood." 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  93 

Who'll  make  his  shroud  ? 
"  I,"  said  the  beetle, 
"  With  my  thread  and  needle, 
I'll  make  his  shroud." 

Who  shall  dig  his  grave  ? 
"I,"  said  the  Owl, 
"With  my  spade  and  showl, 
And  I'll  dig  his  grave. 

Who  '11  be  the  parson  ? 
"  I,"  said  the  Rook, 
"  With  my  little  book, 
I'll  be  the  parson." 

Who'll  be  the  clerk  i 
"  I,"  said  the  Lark, 
"  If  it's  not  in  the  dark, 
I'll  be  the  clerk." 

Who'll  be  chief  mourner? 
"  I,"  said  the  Dove, 
"  Because  I  mourn  for  my  love, 
I'll  be  chief  mourner." 

Who'll  bear  the  pall  ? 
"  We,"  said  the  Wren, 
Both  the  Cock  and  the  Hen, 
"  We'll  bear  the  pall" 


94 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


Who'll  sing  a  Psalm  ? 
"  I,"  said  the  Thrush, 
As  he  sat  in  the  bush, 
"  I'll  sing  a  Psalm." 

Who'll  toll  the  bell? 
"  I,"  said  the  Bull, 
"  Because  I  can  pull, 
I'll  toll  the  bell." 


All  the  birds  in  the  air 
Fell  to  sighing  and  sobbing 
When  they  heard  the  bell  toll 
For  poor  Cock  F.obin. 

While  the  cruel  Cock  Sparrow, 
The  cause  of  their  grief, 
Was  hung  on  a  gibbet, 
Next  day,  like  a  thief. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  95 

Wbt  Jfibe  pg* 

THIS  Pig  the  eldest  of  the  five 
Who  with  their  Mother  dwelt, 
And  he  a  donkey  used  to  drive, 
That  had  a  shaggy  pelt. 

As  to  the  town  he  wended  slow 

All  on  a  market  day, 
The  donkey  would  no  further  go, 

But  sat  him  down  to  bray. 

So  Piggy  took  the  harness  off 

That  aggravating  elf, 
Dismiss'd  him  with  a  withering  scoff 

And  drew  the  cart  himself. 


The  second  Pig  a  varlet  fat, 

Remained  at  home  and  took 
Delight  in  dressing  up  the  cat 

To  imitate  the  cook. 

And  sometimes,  when  his  Mother  went 

Abroad  to  see  her  kin, 
The  varlet  would  indulge  his  bent, 

By  drinking  up  her  gin. 


96  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 

In  consequence  he  lay  half-dead, 

One  evening  in  October, 
When  she  cold  water  on  his  head 

Poured  until  he  was  sober. 


The  third  Pig  always  had  roast  beef 
On  Sunday  for  his  dinner. 

He  never  caused  his  Mother  grief 
Like  the  last  mentioned  sinner. 


Brave  as  a  lion,  too,  was  he  ; 

One  day  he  soundly  thrashed 
A  Bully-Pig  who  brutally 

A  small  Pig's  hat  had  smashed. 


And  then  the  little  Pig  he  led 
Away  from  that  Pig  vile, 

And  purchased  for  his  ill-used  head 
A  hat  of  recent  style. 


The  fourth  Pig  through  his  whole  career 

No  roast  beef  ever  had. 
In  books  he  would  not  persevere, 

Which  made  his  Mother  sad. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  97 

All  day  about  the  streets  went  he, 

And  scattered  orange-peel, 
Upsetting  old  pigs  frequently, 

Who  on  it  set  a  heel. 


Until  a  Police- Pig,  Number  Two, 
Him  into  a  prison  cast, 

And  so  this  flagrant  Pig  unto, 
A  bad  end  came  at  last. 


And  now  my  pen  (my  pig-pen?) 
Unto  the  fifth  Pig  comes, 

He  on  the  banjo  loved  to  play, 
And  partial  was  to  drums. 


A  linguist  excellent  was  he, 

Likewise,  and  when  addressed, 
In  French,  would  promptly  say,  "  Wee  !  wee 

With  manners  self-possessed. 


P 


EG,  Peg,  with  a  wooden  leg, 
Her  father  was  a  miller; 
He  tossed  the  dumpling  at  her  head, 
And  said  he  could  not  kill  her. 


98 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


A  CARRION  Crow  sat  on  an  Oak, 
Fol  de  riddle,  lol  de  riddle,  hi  ding  do, 
Watching  a  tailor  make  his  cloak ; 
Sing  heigh,  sing  ho,  the  carrion  crow, 
Fol  de  riddle,  lol  de  riddle,  hi  ding  do. 


Wife,  bring  me  my  old  bent  bow, 
Fol  de  riddle,  lol  de  riddle,  hi  ding  do, 
That  I  may  shoot  yon  carrion  crow; 
Sing  heigh,  sing  ho,  the  carrion  crow, 
Fol  de  riddle,  lol  de  riddle,  hi  ding  do. 


The  tailor  he  shot,  but  he  missed  his  mark, 

Fol  de  riddle,  lol  de  riddle,  hi  ding  do, 

And  shot  the  old  sow  quite  through  the  heart ; 

Sing  heigh,  sing  ho,  the  carrion  crow, 

Fol  de  riddle,  lol  de  riddle,  hi  ding  do. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


99 


LITTLE  Tommy  Grace 
Had  a  pain  in  his  face, 
So  bad  that  he  could  not  learn  a  letter; 
When  in  came  Dicky  Long, 
Singing  such  a  funny  song, 
That  Tommy  laughed,  and  found  his  face  much  better. 


Utttie  3Tommp  Hutktv 

LITTLE  TOMMY  TUCKER, 
Sing  for  your  supper. 
What  shall  I  sing? 

White  bread  and  butter. 

How  shall  he  cut  it 
Without  e'er  a  knife? 

How  shall  he  marry 
Without  e'er  a  wife  ; 


IOO 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


QHjere  Wast  an  ®tii  Couple 

THERE  was  an  old  couple  and  they  were  poor, 
Fa  la,  fa  la  la  lee! 
They  lived  in  a  house  that  had  but  one  door ;    " 
O!  what  a  poor  couple  were  they. 

The  old  man  once  he  went  far  from  home, 

Fa  la,  fa  la  la  lee! 
The  old  woman  afraid  was  to  stay  all  alone, 
O!  what  a  weak  woman  was  she. 

The  old  man  he  came  home  at  last, 

Fa  la,  fa  la  la  lee! 
And  found  the  windows  all  fast, 
"O!  what  is  the  matter?"  quoth  he. 

"O!  I've  been  sick  since  you  have  been  gone, 

Fa  la,  fa  la  la  lee! 
If  you'd  been  in  the  garden  you'd  heard  me  groan." 
"Q!  I'm  sorry  for  that,"  quoth  he. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  101 

"I  have  a  request  to  make  unto  thee, 

Fa  la,  fa  la  la  lee! 
To  pluck  me  an  apple  from  yonder  tree  "  ; 
"Ay,  that  will  I,  many,"  quoth  he. 

The  old  man  tried  to  get  up  in  the  tree, 

Fa  la,  fa  la  la  lee! 
But  the  ladder  it  fell,  and  down  tumbled  he; 
"That's  cleverly  done!"  said  she. 

Wfan  3  Wte  a  kittle  $oy 

WHEN  I  was  a  little  boy  my  mammy  kept  me  in, 
But  now  I  am  a  great  boy  I'm  fit  to  serve  the  king ; 
I  can  hand  a  musket,  and  I  can  smoke  a  pipe, 
And  I  can  kiss  a  pretty  girl  at  twelve  o'clock  at  night. 

&tbe  a  Cock  ^ors(e 

IDE  a  cock  horse, 
To  Banbury  Cross, 
To  see  what  Tommy  can  buy ; 
A  white  penny  loaf, 
A  white  penny  cake, 
And  a  two-penny  apple  pie. 

Hark,  ftarfe 

ARK,  hark, 
The  dogs  do  bark, 
The  beggars  are  coming  to  town; 
Some  in  rags, 
Some  in  jags, 
And  some  in  velvet  gowns. 


R 


H 


102 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


,WVM>. 


3 oim  Cook 

JOHN  COOK  had  a  gray  mare  ; 
He,  haw,  hum! 
Her  back  stood  up  and  her  bones  were  bare  ; 
He,  haw,  hum ! 

John  Cook  was  riding  up  Shuter's  bank ; 

He,  haw,  hum ! 
And  there  his  nag  did  kick  and  prank; 

He,  haw,  hum! 

John  Cook  was  riding  up  Shuter's  hill; 

He,  haw,  hum! 
His  mare  fell  down,  and  she  made  her  will; 

He,  haw,  hum! 

The  bridle  and  saddle  were  laid  on  the  shelf; 

He,  haw,  hum! 
If  you  want  any  more  you  may  sing  it  yourself; 

He,  haw,  hum! 


"  The  cat  began  to  kill  the  rat;  the  rat  began  to  gnaw  the  rope; 
the  rope  began  to  hang  the  butcher;  the  butcher  began  to  kill  the  ox; 
the  ox  began  to  drink  the  water;  the  water  began  to  quench  the  fire : 
the  fire  began  to  burn  the  stick;  the  stick  began  to  beat  the  dog; 
the  dog  began  to  bite  the  pig ;  the  little  pig  in  a  fright  jumped  over 
the  stile ;  and  so  the  old  woman  got  home  that  night." 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


103 


L't-sjUIilumung 


Itoo  Little  Bogs 

TWO  little  dogs  were  basking  in  the  cinders; 
Two  cats  were  playing  in  the  windows; 
When  two  little  mice  popped  out  of  a  hole, 
And  up  to  a  fine  piece  of  cheese  they  stole. 
The  two  little  dogs  cried,  "Cheese  is  nice!" 
But  the  two  little  cats  jumped  down  in  a  trice, 
And  cracked  the  bones  of  the  two  little  mice. 


A 


(A  well) 

S  round  as  an  apple,  as  deep  as  a  cup, 
And  all  the  king's  horses  can't  pull  it  up. 


104 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


JSaugfrtp  Will?  Pell 

NAUGHTY  Willy  Bell 
Fell  into  the  well, 
Though  Mamma  told  him  not  to  move  its  cover; 
For  this  stubborn  little  elf 
Only  chose  to  please  himself. 

Looking  in,  he  turned  giddy,  and  fell  over. 


But  the  gardener  heard  him  shout, 

And  with  assistance  got  him  out; 

You  never  saw  a  boy  in  such  a  mess; 

In  future  he  will  find, 

Mamma  he'd  better  mind, 

Nor  again  ever  cause  her  such  distress. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


io5 


pabes  tn  tije  Woabtt 

MY  dear,  do  you  know, 
How  a  long  time  ago, 
Two  poor  little  children, 

Whose  names  I  don't  know, 
Were  stolen  away  on  a  fine  summer's  day 
And  left  in  a  wood,  as  I've  heard  people  say. 

And  when  it  was  night 

So  sad  was  their  plight, 
The  sun  it  went  down 

And  the  moon  gave  no  light! 
They  sobbed  and  they  sighed,  and  they  bitterly  cried, 
And  the  poor  little  things,  they  lay  down  and  died. 

And  when  they  were  dead, 
The  Robins  so  red 
Brought  strawberry  leaves 
And  over  them  spread; 


io6  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


And  all  the  day  long 

They  sang  them  this  song; 
"Poor  babes  in  the  woods!  poor  babes  in  the  woods! 
And  don't  you  remember  the  babes  in  the  woods?" 


®og£  in  tfje  #arben 

DOGS  in  the  garden,  catch  'em,  Towser ; 
Cows  in  the  cornfield,  run,  boys,  run; 
Cats  in  the  cream-pot,  run,  girls,  run; 
Fire  on  the  mountain,  run,  boys,  run. 


Jmmptp  ©umptp 

HUMPTY  DUMPTY  sat  on  a  wall, 
Humpty  Dumpty  had  a  great  fall, 
All  the  King's  horses  and  all  the  King's  men 
Couldn't  put  Humpty  Dumpty  together  again. 


[The  ancient  wording  of  the  same.] 
(An  egg) 

HUMPTY  DUMPTY  sat  on  a  wall, 
Humpty  Dumpty  had  a  great  fall ; 
Threescore  men,  and  threescore  more, 
Cannot  place  Humpty  Dumpty  as  he  was  before. 


"  Says  the  pieman  to  Simple  Simon, 
'  Show  me  first  your  penny.'  " 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  107 

Wi)tn  a  GEtoteter  QEtotetmg 

WHEN  a  twister  twisting  would  twist  him  a  twist, 
For  twisting  a  twist  three  twists  he  will  twist ; 
But  if  one  of  the  twists  untwists  from  the  twist, 
The  twist  untwisting  untwist  the  twist. 

Robert  &otolep 

ROBERT  ROWLEY  rolled  a  round  roll  round, 
A  round  roll  Robert  Rowley  rolled  round ; 
Where  rolled  the  round  roll  Robert  Rowley  rolled  round. 

$eter  ipper 

PETER  PIPER  picked  a  peck  of  pickled  peppers ; 
A  peck  of  pickled  peppers  Peter  Piper  picked ; 
If  Peter  piper  picked  a  peck  of  pickled  peppers, 
Where  is  the  peck  of  pickled  peppers  Peter  Piper  picked. 

i>ot=Cro£&  puns; 

HOT-CROSS  Buns! 
Old  woman  runs! 
One  a  penny,  two  a  penny, 
Hot-cross  Buns. 

If  you  have  no  daughters, 
Give  them  to  your  sons. 
One  a  penny,  two  a  penny, 
Hot-cross  Buns. 


II 

THE  ORIGINAL 
MOTHER  GOOSE  MELODY 

AS  ISSUED  BY 

JOHN  NEWBERY  OF  LONDON 

CIRCA  1760 

AND 

ISAIAH  THOMAS  OF  WORCESTER,  MASSACHUSETTS 

CIRCA  1785 


I09 


no 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


preface 


"  By  a  very  Great  Writer  of  very  Little  Books." 

MUCH  might  be  said  in  favour  of  this  collection,  but  as  we  have  no  room  for  critical 
disquisition  we  shall  only  observe  to  our  readers  that  the  custom  of  singing 
these  songs  and  lullabies  to  children  is  of  great  antiquity.  It  is  even  as  old  as 
the  time  of  the  ancient  Druids.  Charactacus,  King  of  the  Britons,  was  rocked  in  his  cradle 
in  the  Isle  of  Mona,  now  called  Anglesea,  and  tuned  to  sleep  by  some  of  these  soporiferous 
sonnets.  As  the  best  things,  however,  may  be  made  ill  use  of,  so  this  kind  of  composition  has 
been  employed  in  a  satirical  manner  of  which  we  have  a  remarkable  instance  so  far  back  as 
the  reign  of  King  Henry  V. ;  when  the  great  monarch  turned  his  arms  against  France,  he 
composed  the  preceding  march  to  lead  his  troops  to  battle,  well  knowing  that  music  had 
often  the  power  of  inspiring  courage,  especially  in  the  minds  of  good  men.  Of  this  his 
enemies  took  advantage,  and  as  our  happy  nation,  even  at  this  time,  was  never  without  a 
faction,  some  of  the  malcontents  adopted  the  following  words  to  the  King's  own  march,  in 
order  to  ridicule  his  majesty,  and  to  show  the  folly  and  impossibility  of  his  undertaking: 


There  was  an  old  woman  toss'd  in  a  blanket 
Seventeen  times  as  high  as  the  moon ; 

But  where  she  was  going  no  mortal  could  tell, 
For  under  her  arm  she  carry'd  a  broom. 

Old  woman,  old  woman,  old  woman,  said  I, 

Whither,  ah  whither,  ah  whither  so  high  ? 
To  sweep  the  cobwebs  from  the  sky, 
And  I'll  be  with  you  by  and  by. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  in 

Here  the  King  is  represented  as  an  old  woman  engaged  in  a  pursuit  the  most  absurd 
and  extravagant  imaginable,  but  when  he  routed  the  whole  French  army  at  the  Battle  of 
Agincourt,  taking  their  king  and  the  flower  of  their  nobility  prisoners,  and  with  ten  thousand 
men  only,  made  himself  master  of  their  kingdom,  the  very  men  who  had  ridiculed  him 
before  began  to  think  nothing  too  arduous  for  him  to  surmount ;  they  therefore  cancelled 
the  former  sonnet,  they  were  now  ashamed  of,  and  substituted  this  in  its  stead,  which  you 
will  be  pleased  to  observe  goes  with  the  same  tune : 

So  vast  is  the  prowess  of  Harry  the  Great, 
He'll  pluck  a  hair  from  the  pale  fac'd  moon; 
Or  a  lion  familiarly  take  by  the  tooth, 
And  lead  him  about  as  you  lead  a  baboon. 

All  princes  and  potentates  under  the  sun, 
Through  fear  into  corners  and  holes  away  run ; 
While  no  danger  nor  dread  his  swift  progress  retards 
For  he  deals  with  kingdoms  as  we  do  our  cards. 

When  this  was  shown  to  his  majesty  he  smilingly  said  that  folly  always  dealt  in  extra- 
vagancies, and  that  knaves  sometimes  put  on  the  garb  of  fools  to  promote  in  that  disguise 
their  own  wicked  designs.  "The  flattery  in  the  last,  "  says  he,  "is  more  insulting  than  the 
impudence  of  the  first,  and  to  weak  minds  might  do  more  mischief;  but  we  have  the  old 
proverb  in  our  favor:  'If  we  do  not  natter  ourselves,  the  flattery  of  others  will  never  hurt 
us.'" 

We  cannot  conclude  without  observing,  the  great  probability  is  that  the  custom  of 
making  nonsense  verses  in  our  schools  was  borrowed  from  the  practice  among  the  old  British 
nurses ;  they  have  indeed  always  been  the  first  preceptors  of  the  youths  of  this  kingdom,  and 
from  them  the  rudiments  of  taste  and  learning  are  naturally  derived.  Let  none  therefore 
speak  irreverently  of  this  ancient  maternity  as  they  may  be  considered  the  great  grand- 
mothers of  science  and  knowledge. 

Note: — This  is  the  preface  in  the  Newbery  Edition  of  Mother  Goose  Melody,  written  in  London  in  1765,  and 
as  far  as  is  known  is  the  first  preface  written  for  children's  books. 


112 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


9  Hobe  H>cmg 

THERE  was  a  little  man 
Who  wooed  a  little  maid ; 
And  he  said,  Little  Maid,  will  you 

Wed,  wed,  wed? 
I  have  little  more  to  say 
So  will  you  aye  or  nay  ? 
For  the  least  said  is  soonest  men-ded, 
Ded,  ded. 

Then  replied  the  little  maid, 
Little  Sir,  you've  little  said 
To  induce  a  little  maid  to 

Wed,  wed,  wed. 
You  must  say  a  little  more, 
And  produce  a  little  ore, 
E'er  I  make  a  little  print  in  your 

Bed,  Bed,  Bed. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  113 

Then  the  little  man  reply'd, 

If  you'll  be  my  little  bride, 

I'll  raise  my  Love  Notes  a  little 

Higher,  higher,  higher; 
Tho'  my  offers  are  not  meet, 
Yet  my  little  heart  is  great, 
With  the  little  God  of  Love  all  on 

Fire,  Fire,  Fire. 


Then  the  little  maid  reply'd, 
Should  I  be  your  little  bride, 
Pray  what  must  we  have  for  to 

Eat,  eat,  eat. 
Will  the  flame  that  you're  so  rich  in 
Light  a  fire  in  the  kitchen, 
Or  the  little  God  of  Love  turn  the 

Spit,  Spit,  Spit  ? 


Then  the  little  man  he  sigh'd, 
And  some  say,  a  little  cry'd, 
For  his  little  Heart  was  big  with 

Sorrow,  Sorrow,  Sorrow. 
As  I  am  your  little  slave, 
If  the  little  that  I  have 
Be  too  little,  little  we  will 

Borrow,  borrow,  borrow. 


H4 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


Then  the  little  man  so  gent, 
Made  the  little  maid  relent, 
And  set  her  little  heart  think-king 

King,  king. 
Tho'  his  offer  were  but  small, 
She  took  his  little  All, 
She  could  have  but  the  cat  and  her  skin, 

Skin,  skin. 

Moral. 

He  who  borrows  is  another  man's  slave,  and  pawns  his  honour,  his  liberty,  and  sometimes  his 
nose  for  payment.     Learn  to  live  on  little  and  be  independent. 

Patch  on  Prudence. 

9  Btrge 

LITTLE  BETTY  WINCKLE  she  had  a  pig, 
It  was  a  little  pig  not  very  big ; 
When  he  was  alive  he  liv'd  in  clover, 
But  now  he  is  dead  and  that's  all  over ; 
Johnny  Winckle,  He 

Sate  down  and  cry'd, 
Betty  Winckle,  She 
Laid  down  and  dy'd ; 
So  there  was  an  end  of 
one,  two,  and  three, 
Johnny  Winckle,  He, 
Betty  Winckle,  She, 
And  Piggie  Wiggie.  / 

Moral. 

A  Dirge  is  a  song  made  for  the  dead,  but  whether  this  was  made  for  Betty  Winckle  or  her  pig, 
is  uncertain,  no  notice  being  taken  of  it  by  Cambders,  or  any  of  the  famous  antiquarians. 

Wall's  System  of  Sense 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  u5 


<^ 


CROSS  PATCH,  draw  the  latch, 
Sit  by  the  Fire  and  spin ; 
Take  a  cup  and  drink  it  up 
Then  call  your  Neighbors  in. 

A  common  case  this,  to  call  in  our  neighbors  to  rejoice  when  all  the  good  things  are  gone. 


9  jHelancjjolp  ^>ong 

TRIP  upon  Trenchers, 
And  dance  upon  Dishes, 
My  Mother  sent  me  for  some  Bawn, 

some  Bawn : 
She  bid  me  tread  lightly, 
And  come  again  quickly, 
For  fear  the  young  men  should  do 
me  some  Harm. 


n6  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

Yet  didn't  you  see 
Yet  didn't  you  see 
What  naughty  tricks  they  put  upon  me  ? 

They  broke  my  Pitcher, 

And  spilt  the  water, 

And  huffed  my  Mother, 

And  chid  her  daughter, 

And  kissed  my  Sister  instead  of  me. 

What  a  Succession  of  misfortunes  befel  this  poor  girl!     But  the  last  Circumstance  was  most 
affecting,  and  might  have  proved  fatal. 

Winslow's  View  of  Bath. 


&mpfnon'£  g>ong  of  Curpbice 

1  WON'T  be  my  Father's  Jack, 
I  won't  be  my  Father's  Gill, 
I  won't  be  the  Fiddler's  wife, 
And  will  have  musick  when  I  will. 


T'other  little  Tune 
T'other  little  Tune. 
Prithee,  Love,  play  me 
T'other  little  Tune. 


M^SJM.     Those  arts  are  the  most  valuable  which  are  of  the  greatest  use. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


117 


THREE  wise  Men  of  Gotham 
They  went  to  Sea  in  a  Bowl. 
And  if  the  Bowl  had  been  Stronger 
My  Song  had  been  longer. 

It  is  long  enough.     Never  lament  the  Loss  of  what  is  not  Worth  having. 

THERE  was  an  old  Man 
And  he  had  a  Calf, 
And  that's  Half ; 
He  took  him  out  of  the  Stall 
And  put  him  on  the  Wall, 
And  that's  all. 


Boyle. 


Maxim.     Those  who  are  given  to  tell  all  they  know  generally  tell  more  than  they  know. 


Ii8 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


:=e>" 


T 


"^HERE  was  an  old  Woman 
Liv'd  under  the  Hill. 


She  put  a  mouse  in  a  Bag, 

And  sent  it  to  the  Mill : 
The  Miller  did  swear 

By  the  point  of  his  Knife, 
He  never  took  Toll 

Of  a  Mouse  in  his  Life. 

The  only  instance  of  a  Miller  refusing  Toll,  and  for  which  the  Cat  has  just  Cause  of  Com- 
plaint against  him. 

Cake  upon  Littledog. 


T 


^HERE  was  an  Old  Woman 
Liv'd  under  the  Hill. 


And  if  she  isn't  gone 
She  Lives  there  still. 

This  is  a  self-evident  proposition  which  is  the  very  essence  of  truth,   "She  lived  under  the 
Hill,  and  if  she  is  not  gone  She  lives  there  still.  "     Nobody  would  presume  to  contradict  this. 

Cr.eusa — Plato's. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  119 


s*~- 


DING  dong,  Bell, 
The  Cat  is  in  the  Well. 
Who  put  her  in  ? 
Little  Johnny  Green. 
What  a  naughty  boy  was  that, 
To  drown  Poor  Pussy  Cat 
Who  never  did  any  Harm, 
And  kill'd  the  Mice  in  his 
Father's  Barn. 

Maxim.     He  that  injures  one  threatens  an  Hundred. 


SE  saw,  Margery  Daw, 
Jacky  shall  have  a  new  Master ; 
Jacky  must  have  but  a  Penny  a  Day 
Because  he  can  work  no  faster. 

It  is  a  mean  and  scandalous  Practise  in  Authors  to  put  notes  to  things  that  deserve  none. 


120  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


LITTLE  Tom  Tucker 
Sings  for  his  Supper : 
What  shall  he  eat  ? 
White  bread  and  Butter : 
How  will  he  cut  it, 
Without  e'er  a  Knife  ? 
How  will  he  be  married 
Without  e'er  a  wife  ? 

To  be  married  without  a  Wife  is  a  terrible  Thing,  and  to  be  married  with  a  bad  Wife  is  some- 
thing Worse;  however  a  good  Wife  that  sings  well  is  the  best  musical  instrument  in  the  World. 

PUSSENDORFF,    S.    E. 


GREAT  A,  little  a, 
Bouncing  B ; 
The  Cat's  in  the  Cupboard, 
And  she  can't  see. 

Yes,  she  can  see  that  you  are  naughty,  and  don't  mind  your  Book. 

S.  E. 


SE  saw,  sacar  a  down. 
Which  is  the  Way  to  Boston  Town  ? 
One  Foot  up,  the  other  Foot  down, 
That  is  the  Way  to  Boston  Town. 

Or  to  any  other  Town  upon  the  Face  of  the  Earth. 

WlCKLIFF. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  121 


IS  John  Smith  within  ? 
Yes,  that  he  is. 
Can  he  set  a  shoe  ? 
Aye,  marry  two. 
Here  a  Nail,  and  there  a  Nail, 
Tick,  Tack,  too. 

Maxim.     Knowledge  is  a  Treasure,  but  practise  is  the  Key  to  it. 


SHOE  the  Colt, 
Shoe  the  Colt, 
Shoe  the  Wild  Mare ; 
Here  a  Nail 
There  a  Nail, 
Yet  She  goes  bare. 

Ay,  ay.     Drive  the  Nail  when  it  will  go;  That's  the  Way  of  the  World,  and  is  the  Methcx? 
mrsued  by  all  our  Financiers,  Politicians,  and  Necromancers. 

Vattel. 


HIGH  diddle,  diddle, 
The  Cat  and  the  Fiddle, 
The  Cow  jump'd  over  the  Moon ; 
The  little  Dog  laugh'd 
To  see  such  Craft, 
And  the  Dish  ran  away  with  the  Spoon. 

It  must  be  a  very  little  Dog  that  laugh'd,  for  a  great  Dog  would  be  ashamed  to  laugh  at  such 
nonsense. 


122  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

IDE  a  Cock  Horse 
To  Banbury  Cross, 
To  see  what  Tommy  can  buy  ; 
A  Penny  White  Loaf, 
A  penny  White  Cake, 
And  a  Two  Penny  Apple  Pye. 

There's  a  good  Boy,  eat  up  your  Pye  and  hold  your  Tongue;  for  Silence  is  the  sign  of  Wisdom. 


THERE  was  an  old  Man 
In  a  Velvet  Coat, 
He  kissed  a  Maid 

And  gave  her  a  Groat ; 
The  Groat  it  was  cracked, 
And  would  not  go, 
Ah !  old  Man,  d'you  serve  me  so  ? 

If  a  Coat  be  ever  so  fine  thae  a  Fool  wears,  it  is  still  a  Fool's  Coat. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


123 


c 


OCK  a  doodle  doo, 

My  Dame  has  lost  her  Shoe, 
')/Jj|    My  Master's  lost  his  Fiddle  Stick 
And  knows  not  what  to  do. 


The  Cocks  crows  us  up  early  in  the  Morning,  that  we  may  work  for 
our  Bread,  and  not  live  upon  Charity,  or  upon  Trust;  for  he  who  lives 
upon  Charity  shall  be  often  affronted,  and  he  that  lives  upon  Trust  shall 
pay  double. 


ROUND  about,  round  about, 
Magotty  Pye : 
My  Father  loves  good  Ale 
And  so  do  I. 

Maxim.     Evil  Company  makes  Good  bad  and  Bad  worse. 


HUSH  a  by  Baby 
On  the  Tree  Top, 
When  the  Wind  blows 
The  Cradle  will  rock. 
When  the  Bough  breaks 

The  Cradle  will  fall, 
Down  tumbles  baby 
Cradle  and  all. 

This  may  serve  as  a  Warning  to  the  Proud  and  Ambitious,  who  climb  so  high  that  they  gener- 
U7  fall  at  last. 

Maxim.     Content  turns  all  it  touches  into  Gold. 


124 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


JACK  and  Gill, 
Went  up  the  Hill, 
To  fetch  a  Pail  of  Water ; 
Jack  fell  down 
And  broke  his  Crown 
And  Gill  came  tumbling  after. 

Maxim.     The  more  you  think  of  dying  the  better  you  will  live. 

Aristotle. 


THERE  were  two  Birds  sat  on  a  Stone, 
Fa,  la,  la,  la,  lal,  de. 
One  flew  away,  and  then  there  was  one, 
Fa,  la,  la,  la,  lal,  de. 

The  other  flew  after,  and  then  there  was  none, 
Fa,  la,  la,  la,  la,  lal,  de. 

And  so  the  poor  Stone  was  left  all  alone,      x^. 
Fa,  la,  la,  la,  lal,  de. 

This  may  serve  as  a  Chapter  of  Consequences  in  the  next  new  Book  of  Logick. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


125 


LITTLE  Jack  Horner 
Sat  in  a  Corner, 
Eating  a  Christmas  Pye  ; 
He  Put  in  his  Thumb, 
And  pull'd  out  a  Plumb, 
Crying,  what  a  great  Boy  was  I  ? 

Tack  was  a  Boy  of  excellent  Taste  as  should  appear  by  his  pulling  out  a  Plumb;  it  is  therefore 
apposed  that  his  Father  apprentised  him  to  a  mince-Pye  maker  that  he  might  improve  his 
ftste  from  year  to  year. 


PEASE  Porridge  hot, 
Pease  Porridge  Cold, 
Pease  Porridge  in  the  Pot 

Nine  Days  old, 
Spell  me  that  in  four  Letters  ? 
I  will.     T-h-a-t. 

The  poor  are  seldomer  sick  for  Want  of  Food,  than  the  Rich  are  by  the  excess  of  it. 


126 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


JACK  SPRAT  could  eat  no  Fat 
His  Wife  could  eat  no  Lean; 
And  so  betwixt  them  both, 
They  licked  the  Platter  clean. 

Maxim.     Better  go  to  Bed  supperless,  than  rise  in  Debt. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


127 


Who  Comes  ^ete  ? 

WHO  comes  here  ? 
A  Grenadier. 
What  do  you  want  ? 

A  Pot  of  Beer. 
Where  is  your  Money  ? 

I've  forgot. 
Get  you  gone 

You  drunken  Sot. 

Intemperance  is  attended  with  Disease,  and  Idleness  with  Poverty. 


w 


HAT  Care  I  how  black  I  be, 
Twenty  pounds  will  marry  me  ; 

If  Twenty  won't,  Forty  shall, 
I  am  my  Mother's  bouncing  Girl. 

If  we  don't  flatter  ourselves,  the  Flattery  of  others  would  have  no  effect. 


128  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


TELL  tale  Tit, 
Your  Tongue  shall  be  slit, 
And  all  the  Dogs  in  our  Town 
Shall  have  a  wee  bit. 

Maxim.     Point  not  at  the  Faults  of  others  with  a  foul  Finger. 


THREE  Children  sliding  on  the  Ice 
Upon  a  Summer's  Day 
As  it  fell  out  they  all  fell  in, 
The  rest  they  ran  away. 

Oh  !  had  these  Children  been  at  School 

Or  sliding  on  dry  Ground, 
Ten  Thousand  Pounds  to  one  Penny 

They  had  not  then  been  drowned. 

Ye  Parents  who  have  Children  dear, 

And  eke  ye  that  have  none, 
If  you  would  keep  them  safe  abroad 

Pray  keep  them  safe  at  home. 

There  is  something  so  Melancholy  in  this  Song,  that  it  has  occasioned  many  People  not  to 
weep.     It  is  almost  in  keeping  with  the  Tune  which  John  whistles  to  his  Horses. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


129 


PATTY  Cake,  Patty  Cake, 
Baker's  Man; 
That  I  will,  Master, 
As  fast  as  I  can; 
Prick  it  and  prick  it, 
And  mark  it  with  T, 
And  there  will  be  enough 
For  Jacky  and  me. 

Maxim.     The  surest  Way  to  gain  our  Ends  is  to  moderate  our  Desires. 

ONE,  two,  three 
Four  and  five, 
I  caught  a  Hare  alive; 
Six,  seven,  eight, 
Nine  and  ten, 
I  let  him  go  again. 

Maxim.     We  may  be  as  good  as  we  please,  if  we  please  to  be  good. 


130  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 


WHEN  I  was  a  little  boy 
I  liv'd  by  myself, 
And  all  the  Bread 
And  Cheese  I  got 

I  laid  upon  the  shelf : 
The  Rats  and  the  Mice 

They  made  such  a  Strofe, 
That  I  was  forc'd  to  go  to  Town 
And  buy  me  a  Wife. 


The  Streets  were  so  broad, 
The  Lanes  were  so  narrow, 

I  was  forc'd  to  bring  my  Wife  home 
In  a  Wheelbarrow ; 

The  Wheelbarrow  broke ; 
And  my  Wife  had  a  Fall 
Farewell 

Wheelbarrow,  Wife  and  all. 


Provide  against  the  Worst,  and  Hope  for  the  Best. 


Mother  GOOSE'S  melody.   49 


50   Mother  COOSE's  Melody. 


p. 


PATTY  Cake,  Patty  Cake, 
baker's  Man  ; 
That  I  will  Mailer, 
As  faft  as  I  can  ; 
Prick  it  and  prick  it, 
And  mark  it  with  a  T, 
And  there  will  be  enough 
For  Jfo-chy  and  mc. 

Maxim, 
The  Cured  Way  to  gain  oui  End»  is  to  mod- 
crate  our  t)cfires. 

D  WHEN 


WHEN  I  was  a  little  Boy 
1  had  but  liule  Wit, 
'Tis  a  long  Time  ago, 

And  I  have  no  more  yet  , 
Nor  ever,  ever  fhall, 

Until  thai  I  die, 
For  the  longer  I  live, 
The  more  Fool  am  I. 


Maxim. 
He  that  will  be  hit  own  Mater,  haa  often  a 

WHEN 


fool  for  his  Scholar. 


Mother  GOOSE's  Melody.  51 


WHEN  I  was  a  little  Boy 
I  liv'd  by  myfclf, 
And  all  the  Bread 
And  Cheefe  I  got 

I  laid  upon  the  Shelf  ; 
The  Rats  and  the  Mice 

They  made  fuch  a  Strife, 
That  I  was  fore'd  to  go  to  Town 
And  buy  me  a  Wife. 

II. 

The  Streets  were  fo  broad, 
The  Lanes  were  fo  narrow, 

I  was 


52   Mother  GOOSE's  Melooy. 

I"  was  fore'd  to  bring  my  Wife  home 

In  a  Wheelbarrow  ; 
The  Wheelbarrow  broke  ; 

And  my  Wife  had  a  Fall. 
FareWel 

Wheelbarrow,  Wife  and  all. 

Maxim. 

Provide  agaimft  the  woift,  and  hope  for  the 
be*. 


tart 


Facsimile  of  Original  Mother  Goose 


o 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  131 

MY  Kitten  a  Kitten, 
And  oh  !  my  Kitten,  my  Deary, 
Such  a  sweet  puss  as  this 

There  is  not  far  nor  neary ; 
There  we  go  up,  up,  up, 
Here  we  go  down,  down,  down, 
Here  we  go  backwards  and  forwards, 
And  here  we  go  round,  round,  round. 

Maxim.     Idleness  hath  no  Advocate,  but  many  Friends. 


&lexanber's  ^>cmg 

THERE  was  a  man  of  Thessaly 
And  he  was  wondrous  wise, 
He  jump'd  into  a  quick  set  Hedge, 
And  scratch'd  out  both  his  eyes : 
And  when  he  saw  his  eyes  were  out, 

With  all  his  might  and  Main 
He  jump'd  into  another  Hedge, 
And  scratched  them  in  again. 

How  happy  it  was  for  the  Man  to  scratch  his  Eyes  in  again  when  they  were  scratched  out ! 
But  he  was  a  Blockhead,  or  he  would  have  kept  himself  out  of  the  Hedge  and  not  been  scratched 
at  all. 


"V"V|imiii   4JP*1 


132  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


T 


^HIS  Pig  went  to  Market ; 
That  Pig  staid  at  Home ; 
This  Pig  had  roast  Meat, 

That  Pig  had  none  ; 
This  Pig  went  to  the  Barn  door 
And  cry'd  week,  week,  for  more. 

Maxim.     If  we  do  not  govern  our  Passions,  our  Passions  will  govern  us. 


ALONG  tail'd  Pig,  or  a  short 
tail'd  Pig, 
Or  a  Pig  without  any  Tail. 
A  Sow  Pig,  or  a  Boar  Pig, 
Or  a  Pig  with  a  curling  Tail, 
Take  hold  of  his  Tail  and  eat  off 

his  Head ; 
And  then  you'll  be  sure  the  Pig  Hog 
is  dead. 


BOW,  wow,  wow, 
Whose  Dog  art  thou  ? 
Little  Tom  Tinker's  Dog, 
Bow,  wow,  wow. 

Tom  Tinker's  Dog  is  a  very  good  Dog;  and  an  honester  Dog  than  his  Master. 


"  The  gray  goose  she  ran  round  the  haystack, 
'  Oh,  oh!  '  said  the  fox,  '  you  are  very  fat.'  " 


Mother  GOOSE'S  Melody.   57 


ALONG  tail'd    Pig,  or  a   fhort 
tail'd  Pig, 
Or  a  Pig  without  any  Tail  •, 
A  Sow  Pig,  or  a  Boar  Pig, 
Or  a  Pig  with  a  curling  Tail. 
Take    hold  of  the  Tail    and  eat  off 

his  Head  ; 
And  then  you'll  be  fure  the  Pig  hog 
is  dead. 


CESAR'S 


58   Mother  COOSE's  Melody, 


CiESAR'a  SONC. 

BOW,  wow,  wow, 
Whofe  Dog  art  thou  ? 
Little  Tom  Tinker' ^Dogy 
JBow,  wow,  wow. 

Tm  Tinkcr't  Dog  is  a  very  good  Dog,  and 
an.  hon titer  Dog  thali  his*Maftert 


BAH, 


Mother  GOOSE'S  Melody.    59 


60  Mother  GOOSE's  Melody. 


BAH,  bah,  black  Sheep, 
Have  you  any  Wool  ? 
Yes,  marry  have  I, 
Three  Bags  full  ; 
One  for  my  matter, 

One  for  my  Dame, 
But  none  for  the  little  Boy 
Who  cries  in  the  Lane, 

Maxim, 

Bad  Hsbira  useafieT  con^uored  To<fay  than. 
Tomorrow. 

robin 


DO  BIN  and  Richard 

Were  two  pretty  Men, 
They  lay  in  Bed 

•Till  the  Clock  flruck  Ten 
Then  up  ftarts  Robin 

And  looks  at  the  fky, 
Oh  1  Brother  Richard, 

The  Sun's  very  high  ; 
You  go  before 

With  the  Bottle  and  Bag, 
And  I  will  coine  after 

On  little  Jack  Nag. 

VVhal 


Facsimile  of  Original  Mother  Goose 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  133 


B 


i  AH,  bah,  black  Sheep, 
Have  you  any  Wool  ? 
Yes,  marry  have  I, 
Three  Bags  full ; 
One  for  my  Master, 
One  for  my  Dame, 
But  none  for  the  little  Boy 
Who  cries  in  the  Lane. 

Maxim.     Bad  Habits  are  easier  conquered  Today  than  Tomorrow. 


ROBIN  and  Richard 
Were  two  pretty  Men, 
They  lay  in  Bed 

'Till  the  Clock  struck  Ten  : 
Then  up  starts  Robin 

And  looks  at  the  Sky, 
Oh !  Brother  Richard, 

The  Sun's  very  high; 
You  go  before 

with  the  Bottle  and  Bag, 
And  I  will  come  after 

On  little  Jack  Nag. 

What  lazy  Rogues  were  these  to  lie  in  Bed  so  long;  I  dare  say  they  have  no  Cloths  to  their 
Backs;  for  laziness  clothes  a  Man  with  rags. 


134 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


T 


kHE  Sow  came  in  with  the  Saddle, 
The  little  Pig  rock'd  the  Cradle, 
The  Dish  jump'd  a  top  the  Table  ; 
To  see  the  Pot  wash  the  Ladle  ; 
The  Spit  that  stood  behind  a  Bench 
Call'd  the  Dishcloth  a  dirty  Wench : 
Ods  plut,  says  the  Gridiron, 

Can't  ye  agree  ? 
I'm  the  Head  Constable, 

Bring  'em  to  me. 

Note.     If  he  acts  as  Constable  in  this  Case,  the  Cock  must  surely  be  the  Justice  of  Peace. 


T 


^HERE  was  an  old  Woman, 

And  she  sold  Puddings  and  Pies 
She  went  to  the  Mill 
And  the  Dust  flew  into  her  Eyes ; 
Hot  pies 

And  cold  pies  to  sell, 
Wherever  she  goes 

You  may  follow  her  by  the  Smell. 

Maxim.     Either  say  nothing  of  the  Absent,  or  speak  like  a  Friend. 


WE'RE  three  Brethren  out  of  Spain 
Come  to  court  your  Daughter  Jane ; 
My  Daughter  Jane  she  is  too  young, 
She  has  no  skill  in  flattering  Tongue. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  135 

Be  she  young  or  be  she  old, 
It's  for  Gold  she  must  be  sold ; 
So  fare  you  well,  my  Lady  gay, 
We  must  return  another  Day. 

Maxim.     Riches  serve  a  wise  Man,  and  govern  a  fool. 


THERE  were  two  Blackbirds  sat  on  a  Hill, 
The  one  was  named  Jack, 
The  other  nam'd  Gill. 
Fly  away,  Jack, 
Fly  away,  Gill ; 
Come  again,  Jack, 
Come  again,  Gill. 

Maxim.     A  Bird  in  the  Hand  is  worth  two  in  the  Bush. 


HERE'S  A,  B,  and  C, 
D,  E,  F,  and  G, 
H,  I,  K,  L,  M,  N,  O,  P,  Q, 

R,  S,  T,  and  U, 
W,  X,  Y,  and  Z. 
And  here's  the  child's  Dad 
Who  is  sagacious  and  discerning, 
And  knows  this  is  the  font  of  Learning. 


136  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

DICKERY,  Dickery  Dock ; 
The  Mouse  ran  up  the  Clock ; 
The  Clock  struck  one, 
The  Mouse  ran  down, 
Dickery,  Dickery  Dock. 

Maxim.     Time  stays  for  no  Man. 

BOYS  and  Girls  come  out  to  play, 
The  Moon  does  shine  as  bright  as  day ; 
Come  with  a  Hoop,  and  come  with  a  Call, 
Come  with  a  good  will,  or  come  not  at  all. 
Loose  your  Supper,  and  loose  your  Sleep, 
Come  to  your  Playfellows  in  the  Street. 

UP  the  Ladder  and  down  the  Wall, 
A  Halfpenny  Loaf  will  serve  us  all. 
But  when  the  Loaf  is  gone,  what  will  you  do  ? 
Those  who  would  eat,  must  work  'tis  true. 

Maxim.     All  work  and  no  play  makes  Jack  a  dull  boy. 

PIPING  hot,  smoking  hot, 
What  I've  got, 
You  know  not, 
Hot,  hot  Pease,  hot,  hot,  hot; 
Hot  are  my  Pease,  Hot. 

There  is  much  more  in  this  Song,  on  a  cold  frosty  Night,  than  ever  the  Syrens  were  possessed 
of,  who  captivated  Ulysses;  and  the  Effect  sticks  closer  to  the  Ribs. 

Huggkford  on  Hunger. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


137 


13  ilogtcal  i§>ong,  or  tJje  Conjuror's;  IXeasion  for  Mot 

letting  jHonep 

IWOU'D,  if  I  Cou'd, 
If  I  cou'dn't  how  cou'd  I  ? 
I  Cou'dn't,  without  I  cou'd,  cou'd  I  ? 
Cou'd  you,  without  you  cou'd,  cou'd  ye  ? 

Cou'dn't  ye,  cou'd  ye  ? 
Cou'd  you,  without  you  cou'd,  cou'd  ye  ? 

Note.     This  is  a  new  way  of  handling  an  old  Argument,  said  to  be  invented  by  a  famous 
Senator;  but  it  has  something  in  it  of  Gothick  Construction. 

Sanderson. 


Ill 

THE  PLEASANT  HISTORY 
OF  LITTLE  JACK  HORNER 

CONTAINING  HIS  WITTY  TRICKS  AND  PLEASANT 

PRANKS  WHICH  HE  PLATED  FROM  HIS  YOUTH 

TO  HIS  RIPER  YEARS 


139 


140 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


Stye  fttatorp  of  little  STatfe  Corner 

[Of  his  birth,  and  education.] 

JACK  HORNER  was  a  pretty  lad, 
near  London  did  he  dwell, 
His  father's  heart  he  made  full  glad, 
his  mother  loved  him  well. 


She  often  sat  him  on  her  lap, 

for  fear  of  cold  beneath, 
And  fed  him  with  sweet  sugar-pap 

because  he  had  no  teeth. 

While  little  Jack  was  sweet  and  young, 

if  he  by  chance  did  cry, 
His  mother  pretty  sonnets  sung, 

with  lulla-baby-by. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  141 

A  pretty  boy,  a  curious  wit, 

all  people  spoke  his  praise, 
And  in  the  corner  he  would  sit 

on  Christmas  holidays. 

And  said  Jack  Horner  in  the  corner, 

eats  good  Christmas  pye  ; 
With  his  thumbs  pulls  out  the  plums, 

crying  what  a  good  boy  was  I. 

These  pretty  verses  which  he  made 

upon  his  Christmas  cheer. 
Did  gain  him  love,  as  it  is  said, 

of  all  both  far  and  near  ; 

For  lasses  loved  his  company, 

each  day  above  another  ; 
For  why  ?  they  knew  that  he  would  be 

a  man  before  his  mother, 

He  grew,  I  say,  at  any  rate 

both  proper,  straight,  and  trim, 

So  that  young  Nancy,  Sue,  and  Kate, 
were  all  in  love  with  him. 

Happy  was  she  that  could  enjoy 
from  him  one  kind  embrace  ; 

Though  once  he  was  a  little  bob, 
yet  now  he  grew  apace. 


142  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

So  few  were  like  him  far  and  near, 

and  match  for  him  was  none ; 
As  being  thirteen  inches  high, 

a  giant  to  Tom  Thumb. 

Whene'er  he  took  a  sword  in  hand, 
he  made  his  foes  to  bleed, 

As  you  shall  come  to  understand, 
when  you  this  history  read. 


JACK  FRIGHTS   A   TAYLER    FOR   CABBAGING  CLOATH 

OUT  OF  HIS  COAT 

Jack  being  twenty  years  of  age, 

liv'd  with  a  worthy  knight, 
In  manner  of  a  pretty  page, 

to  yield  him  such  delight. 

The  knight  right  generous  and  free, 

did  for  a  tayler  send, 
For  to  make  Jack  a  livery, 

so  much  he  was  his  friend. 

Of  half  a  yard  of  good  broad  cloth 
the  coat  was  to  be  made, 

But  the  tayler  he  was  loth 
to  quit  his  thievish  trade. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  143 

The  knavish  tayler  was  to  blame, 

(a  crafty  cunning  wag,) 
He  pinch'd  as  much  out  of  the  same 

as  made  a  marble  bag. 

His  coat  was  spoil'd  then  being  made, 

it  came  not  to  his  knee : 
Jack  in  a  raging  passion  said, 

I'll  be  revenged  on  thee. 

The  knight  he  having  kill'd  a  goat,   . 

whose  skin  was  full  as  black 
I  do  declare  as  any  soot ; 

this  project  pleased  Jack. 

He  wrapt  it  round  him  like  a  gown 

at  twelve  o'clock  at  night, 
And  then  he  rambled  thro'  the  town, 

this  tayler  to  affright. 

He  through  a  window  did  advance, 

near  to  the  tayler 's  bed  ; 
And  round  the  room  did  skip  and  dance 

with  horns  upon  his  head. 

He  growl'd  and  grumbled  like  a  bear, 
and  did  such  anticks  play ; 

As  made  the  tayler  then  to  stare, 
and  tremble  where  he  lay. 


144  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

Seeing  the  horns  hang  o'er  his  head, 

his  body  short  and  thick, 
The  tayler  said,  speak,  who  art  thou  ? 

quoth  Jack,  thy  friend,  old  Nick : 


Thou  hast  obey'd  my  order  well 

I  find  in  each  degree : 
And  therefore  in  my  gloomy  cell, 

I  have  a  place  for  thee. 


For  you  have  been  a  friend  indeed, 

I  such  a  tayler  lack  : 
Therefore  come  away  with  speed, 

I'll  bear  thee  on  my  back  : 


Sweet  Mr.  Devil  then  he  cry'd, 

O  pardon  me,  I  pray  ; 
I  can't,  I  won't,  he  then  reply'd, 

make  haste  and  come  away. 


The  tayler  naked  to  the  skin, 

his  bed  he  did  refrain, 
And  down  the  town  thro'  thick  and  thin, 

he  ran  with  might  and  main. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  i45 

HOW  HE  SERVED  THE  COOK-MAID,  WHO  BROKE  HIS 
HEAD  WITH  A  LADLE  FOR  MAKING  A  SOP  IN 

THE  DRIPPING 

Another  pleasant  prank  he  play'd 

upon  a  holiday, 
Unto  his  master's  servant  maid, 

which  was  a  bloody  fray. 

Now  she  was  lusty  Jane  by  name, 

and  was  their  constant  cook : 
And  when  he  to  the  kitchen  came, 

she  would  him  overlook. 

Upon  a  certain  day  young  Jack 

a  slice  of  bread  did  take, 
And  threw  it  in  the  dripping-pan, 

that  he  a  sop  did  make. 

So  soon  as  she  the  same  did  see, 

it  put  her  in  a  rage, 
And  with  the  basting  ladle  she 

Jack  Horner  did  engage. 

She  gave  him  cracks  upon  the  crown 
so  hard  and  struck  so  fast, 

That  he  at  length  did  tumble  down, 
and  gasping  at  the  last. 

But  though  he  did  at  first  retreat, 
he  soon  returned  again  ; 

For  standing  fast  upon  his  feet, 
he  fought  with  might  and  main. 


i46  MOTHER  GOOSE  MELODIES 

He  was  but  thirteen  inches  high, 

and  she  full  six  times  more, 
Yet,  by  his  ingenuity, 

he  brought  her  to  the  floor. 

So  cruel  hard  he  made  her  roar, 
she  cry'd,  "  Let  me  alone, 

And  I  will  ne'er  offend  thee  more, 
Jack,  while  my  name  is  Joan." 


Why,  then,  said  Jack,  if  it  be  so, 
that  you'll  not  me  offend, 

I  will  this  minute  let  you  go, 
and  so  the  fray  did  end. 


AN  OLD  HERMIT  GIVES  JACK  AN  INVISIBLE  COAT  AND 

A  PAIR  OF  ENCHANTED   PIPES,  WITH 

WHICH  HE  PLAYS  MANY  TRICKS 

Upon  a  pleasant  holiday, 

Jack,  going  to  the  fair, 
And  as  he  passed  along  the  way, 

he  saw  a  wonder  there  ; 

An  aged  man  sat  in  a  cave, 
that  could  not  stand  nor  go, 

His  head  wore  blossoms  of  the  grave, 
and  looked  as  white  as  snow. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  147 

He  call'd  to  Jack,  and  this  did  say, 

come  hither  lad  to  me, 
And  if  thou  dost  my  will  obey, 

rewarded  thou  shalt  be. 

Bring  me  a  fairing  from  the  town, 

at  thy  own  proper  cost, 
A  jug  of  snappy  liquor  brown, 

thy  labour  shan't  be  lost. 

Jack  made  the  hermit  this  reply, 

who  then  sat  in  the  cell, 
What's  your  request  I'll  not  deny, 

and  so  old  dad  farewell. 

At  night  he  being  stout  and  strong 

this  lad  he  did  not  fail, 
But  at  his  back  lugged  along 

a  swinging  jug  of  ale. 

Which  when  the  hermit  he  beheld, 

it  pleas'd  him  to  the  heart, 
Out  of  the  same  a  cup  he  fill'd, 

and  said,  before  we  part 

I  have  a  pipe  which  I'll  bestow 
upon  you— never  doubt, 

Whoever  hears  the  same  you  blow, 
shall  dance  and  skip  about. 


148  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

I  have  a  coat  for  thee  likewise, 

invisible  I  mean ; 
And  it  shall  so  bedim  their  eyes, 

that  thou  shalt  not  be  seen  : 

If  thou  should  with  an  hundred  meet 

when  thus  you  pass  along, 
Although  upon  the  open  street, 

not  one  of  all  the  throng 

Shall  ever  see  you  in  the  least, 

but  hear  the  music  sound  ; 
And  wonder  that  both  man  and  beast 

is  forc'd  to  dance  around. 

Jack  took  the  coat  and  bag-pipes  too, 
and  thankfully  did  say, 

Old  father  I  will  call  on  you, 
whene'er  I  come  this  way. 


OF  HIS  MAKING  SIX  FIDDLERS  DANCE  OVER  HEDGE 

AND  DITCH  TILL  THEY  BROKE  ALL  THEIR 

GLASSES  AND  CROWDS 

This  coat  and  pipe  he  having  got, 
he  homewards  trudg'd  with  speed ; 

At  length  it  was  his  happy  lot 
to  cross  a  pleasant  mead ; 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  149 

Where  he  six  fiddlers  soon  espy'd 

returning  from  the  fair  ; 
Under  their  coats  crowds  by  their  sides, 

with  many  others  there. 


Jack  presently  his  coat  put  on, 

that  screen'd  him  from  their  sight, 

Saying  I'll  do  the  best  I  can 
to  plague  them  all  this  night ; 


His  pipes  he  straight  began  to  play, 
the  crowders  they  did  dance  ; 

The  tradesmen  too,  as  fast  as  they, 
did  caper,  skip  and  prance. 


Still  he  played  up  a  merry  strain 
on  his  pipes  loud  and  shrill, 

So  they  danced  and  jump'd  amain, 
tho  sore  against  their  will. 


Said  they  this  is  enchanted  ground, 
for  though  no  soul  we  see, 

Yet  still  the  music's  pleasant  sound 
makes  us  dance  veh'mently. 


i5o  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

Jack  Horner  danc'd  and  piping  went, 

straight  down  into  the  hollow, 
So  all  these  dancers  by  consent, 

they  after  him  did  follow. 


He  led  them  on  thro'  bogs  and  sloughs, 
nay,  likewise  ponds  and  ditches, 

And  in  the  thorny  briary  boughs, 

poor  rogues,  they  tore  their  breeches ! 


At  last  it  being  somewhat  late, 

Jack  did  his  piping  leave, 
So  ceas'd,  seeing  their  wretched  state 

which  made  them  sigh  and  grieve, 


Sure  this  same  is  old  Nick,  I  know, 

the  author  of  this  evil : 
And  others  cry'd  if  it  be  so, 

he  is  a  merry  devil. 


Jack  Horner  laugh'd  and  went  away, 

and  left  them  in  despair : 
So  ever  since  that  very  day, 

no  crowders  would  come  there. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  i5i 

JACK'S  KINDNESS  TO  THE  INNKEEPER,  WHO  HE  PUTS 
IN  THE  WAY  TO  PAY  HIS  DEBTS 


An  honest  man,  an  innkeeper 

a  friend  to  honest  Jack, 
Who  was  in  his  debt  alas !  so  far 

that  he  was  like  to  crack  ; 

Now  this  man  had  a  handsome  wife, 

sweet  fair  and  beauteous  too— 
A  Quaker  lov'd  her  as  his  life, 

And  this  Jack  Horner  knew. 

The  Quaker  was  an  esquire  born, 

and  did  in  wealth  abound  : 
Said  he,  I'll  catch  him  in  the  corn, 

and  put  him  in  the  pond. 

First  to  the  innkeeper  I'll  go, 

and  when  I  do  him  find, 
He  soon  shall  understand  and  know 

that  I'll  be  true  and  kind. 

He  met  him  in  a  narrow  lane, 

and  said,  my  friend,  good  morrow. 

But  the  innkeeper  reply'd  again, 
my  heart  is  full  of  sorrow. 


1 52  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

Two  hundred  pounds  I  am  in  debt, 

which  I  must  pay  next  week, 
It  makes  me  sigh,  lament,  and  fret 

having  the  coin  to  seek. 

Quoth  Jack,  if  you'll  be  rul'd  by  me 

I'll  put  you  in  the  way, 
How  you  yourself  from  debt  may  free 

and  all  your  money  pay. 

Nay,  this  is  joyful  news  he  cry'd, 

thou  art  a  friend  indeed, 
Thy  wit  shall  be  my  rule  and  guide 

for  never  more  was  need, 

Go  tell  thy  loving  wife  said  he 

thy  joy  and  heart's  delight, 
That  thou  must  ride  miles  forty-three 

and  shan't  come  to  night. 

Then  mind  the  counsel  I  shall  give, 

and  be  no  whit  afraid  ; 
For  I  can  tell  you  as  I  live 

your  debts  will  soon  be  paid. 

Mount  thy  bay  nag,  and  take  my  cloak, 
likewise  thy  morning  gown  ; 

And  lodge  within  a  hollow  oak 
a  mile  or  two  from  town. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  153 

Then  you  may  sleep  in  sweet  content 

the  like  ne'er  seen  before ; 
Which  shall  produce  a  sum  of  gold, 

nay,  likewise  silver  store. 

Unto  his  house  straightway  he  went, 

and  told  her  he  must  go 
A  journey,  saying,  be  content, 

for  why  it  must  be  so. 

She  seemingly  began  to  weep, 

and  with  sad  sighs  reply'd— 
You  know,  alas !  I  cannot  sleep 

without  you  by  my  side. 

Cries  he,  kind  wife,  do  not  repine, 
why  should  you  sigh  and  grieve? 

I  go  out  to  a  friend  of  mine 
some  money  to  receive. 

When  came  the  morn,  he  did  return, 
and  laughing  kissed  her  twice. 

He  said  he  had  the  great  sum  earn'd 
Which  she  tho't  was  quite  nice. 

With  it  right  soon,  the  debt  was  paid, 
they  were  happy  ever  more  ; 

I  thank  you,  Jack,  was  what  he  said, 
I'm  happier  than  ever  before. 


1 54  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

JACK  SLAYS  A  MONSTROUS  GIANT,  AND  MARRIES 
A  KNIGHT'S  DAUGHTER 

Jack  Horner  a  fierce  giant  kill'd, 

one  galligantus  stout, 
As  large  as  ever  man  beheld 

in  all  the  world  throughout. 

This  very  giant  could  with  ease, 

step  fifteen  yards  in  length : 
Up  by  the  roots  he  pluck'd  oak  trees, 

so  mighty  was  his  strength. 

His  lips  did  open  like  two  gates, 

his  beard  hung  down  like  wire, 
His  eyes  were  like  two  pewter  plates, 

he  breathed  smoke  and  fire. 

'Tis  said  that  he  destroy'd  as  much 
as  ten  score  men  could  eat ; 

So  that  the  people  did  him  grudge 
every  bit  of  meet. 

His  mess  was  still  continually 
two  bullocks  in  a  dish ; 

Then  he  could  drink  whole  rivers  dry, 
and  thus  he  starved  the  fish. 

He  went  to  drink  it  seems  one  day 
by  a  deep  river  side, 

Whereat  a  lighter  full  of  straw 
did  then  at  anchor  ride  ; 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  i55 

Besides  another  full  of  hay ; 

a  third  with  block  and  billet ; 
He  cramm'd  all  these  into  his  maw, 

and  yet  they  did  not  fill  it. 

He  did  annoy  the  nations  then, 

by  night  and  eke  by  day ; 
Whoever  passed  by  his  den, 

became  his  fatal  pray, 

Hard  by  these  liv'd  a  noble  knight, 

who  had  one  daughter  dear ; 
For  youth  and  splendid  beauty  bright 

but  few  could  come  her  near. 

He  preferr'd  her  to  be  the  wife, 

of  him  that  could  destroy,  - 
The  bruitish  cruel  giant's  life, 

who  did  them  so  annoy. 

At  length  Jack  Horner  being  told, 

Whoever  did  him  slay, 
Might  have  gold  and  silver  eke, 

likewise  a  lady  gay. 

Quoth  Jack,  now  let  me  live  or  die, 
I'll  fight  this  swinging  boar  ; 

Though  I'm  but  thirteen  inches  high, 
and  he  ten  yards  and  more. 


1 56  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

A  sword  he  got  five  inches  long, 

a  little  cap  of  steel. 
A  breastplate  too  both  stout  and  strong, 

quoth  Jack,  I'll  make  him  reel. 

Upon  a  badger's  back  he  got, 

in  order  to  proceed  ; 
Thus  being  mounted  cap-a-pie, 

away  he  rode  full  speed. 

With  double  courage  stout  and  brave, 

he  did  his  valour  keep : 
Then  coming  to  the  giant's  cave, 

he  found  him  fast  asleep. 

His  mouth  it  was  not  open  wide, 
but  stood  it  seems  half-cock, 

Jack  down  his  throat  with  speed  did  ride, 
he  never  stood  to  knock. 

Jack  cut  and  lash'd  his  swinging  tripes, 
this  grieved  the  giant  sore  ; 

Then  did  he  play  upon  his  pipes, 
which  made  him  dance  and  roar. 

He  cry'd,  I  dance,  yet  I'm  not  well, 
there's  no  man  minds  my  moan  : 

At  length  he  died  and  down  he  fell, 
then  gave  a  hideous  groan. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

With  that  he  soon  with  speed  did  run, 

and  did  in  brief  declare, 
What  by  his  valour  he  had  done, 

and  gain'd  his  lady  fair. 

He  marr'd  this  fair  beauty  bright, 
her  charms  he  did  admire ; 

And  since  her  father  was  a  knight, 
young  Jack  became  a  squire. 


i57 


IV 

THE  FAMOUS  HISTORY  OF 
TOM  THUMB 

WHEREIN  IS  DECLARED  THE  MERRY  PRANKS  HE 
PLAIED  IN   HIS   CHILDHOOD  AND  HIS   MARVEL- 
LOUS ACTS  OF  MANHOOD  FULL  OF  WONDERFUL 
MERRIMENT 


Printed  and  sold  in  the  Aldermary  church-yard,  London 
(About  1719) 


159 


160  MOTHER   GOOES   MELODISE 


%%t  Jfirstf  $art  of  tije  Me  of  ®om  Gflfmmti 


Of  the  Parentage,  Birth,  and  Education  of  Tom  Thumb;  with  the  merry  pranks  he  plated 
in  his  childhood. 


IN  Arthur's  court  Tom  Thumb  did  live 
A  Man  of  mickle  might, 
Who  was  the  best  of  the  table  round 
And  eke  a  worthy  Knight. 


In  nature  but  an  inch  in  height, 

Or  quarter  of  a  span  ; 
How  think  you  that  this  valiant  Knight 

Was  proved  a  valiant  man. 


His  father  was  a  ploughman  plain, 
His  mother  milked  the  cow, 

And  yet  the  way  to  get  a  son 
This  couple  knew  not  how. 


Until  the  time  the  good  old  man 
To  learned  Merlin  goes, 

And  there  to  him  in  deep  distress, 
In  secret  manner  shews, 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  161 

How  in  his  heart  he'd  wish'd  to  have 

A  child  in  time  to  come, 
To  be  his  heir,  though  it  might  be 

No  bigger  than  his  thumb. 

Of  this  old  Merlin  then  foretold, 

How  he  his  wish  should  have  ; 
And  so  a  son  of  stature  small, 

This  charmer  to  him  gave. 

No  blood  nor  bones  in  him  should  be, 

His  shape  it  being  such 
That  he  should  hear  him  speak,  but  not 

His  wandering  shadow  touch. 

But  so  unseen  to  overcome, 

Whereat  it  pleased  him  well, 
Merlin  spoke,  and  in  half  an  hour 

The  boy  'riv'd  fitt'd  to  his  will. 

And  in  four  minutes  grew  so  fast, 

That  he  became  so  tall 
As  was  the  plowman's  thumb  in  length, 

And  so  he  did  him  call 

Tom  Thumb,  the  which  the  Fairy  Queen 

Did  give  him  to  his  name, 
Who  with  her  train  of  goblins  grim 
Unto  the  christening  came. 


1 62  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

When  so  they  cloth'd  him  fine  and  gay, 

In  garments  rich  and  fair ; 
The  which  did  serve  him  many  years 

In  seemly  sort  to  wear. 

His  cloak  made  of  the  oaken  leaf, 

His  shirt  a  spider's  webb, 
Both  light  and  soft  for  his  fine  limbs, 

Which  were  so  smally  bred. 

His  hose  and  doublet  thistle  down, 

Together  weav'd  full  fine, 
And  stockings  of  the  apple  gren 

Made  of  the  outer  rhine. 

His  garters  were  two  little  hairs 
Pluck'd  from  his  mother's  eyes  ; 

His  shoes  made  of  a  mouse's  skin, 
And  tann'd  most  curiously. 

Thus  like  a  valiant  gallant  he 

Adventured  forth  to  go 
With  other  children  in  the  street 

His  pretty  pranks  to  show. 

Where  for  the  counters,  pins,  and  points 
And  cherry  stones  did  play, 

Till  he  among  the  gamestrees  young 
Had  lost  his  stock  away. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  163 


Yet  he  could  soon  the  fame  renew, 
When  as  most  nimbly  he 

Would  dive  into  the  cherry  bags 
And  there  partaker  be. 

Unseen,  unfelt  by  any  one, 
Until  a  scholar  shut 

The  nimble  youth  into  a  box 
Wherein  his  pins  were  put. 


Of  whom  to  be  reveng'd  he  took 

In  mirth  and  pleasant  game, 
Black  pots  and  glasses,  which  he  hung 

Upon  a  light  sun  beam. 

The  other  boys  did  do  the  same. 

In  pieces  tore  him  quite, 
For  which  they  were  severely  whipt. 

At  which  he  laugh'd  outright. 

And  so  Tom  Thumb  restrained  was 
From  this  his  sport  and  play, 

And  by  his  mother  after  that 
Compell'd  at  home  to  stay. 

Whereas  about  the  Christmas  time, 
His  mother  a  hog  had  kill'd, 

And  Tom  would  see  the  pudding  made, 
For  fear  it  should  be  spoild. 


1 64  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

OF  TOM'S   FALLING   INTO   THE   PUDDING  BOWL  AND 
OF  HIS  ESCAPE  OUT  OF  THE  TINKER'S  BUDGET 

He  sat  the  candle  for  to  light 

Upon  the  pudding  bowl, 
Of  which  there  is  unto  this  day 

A  pretty  story  told. 

For  Tom  fell  in,  and  could  not  be 

For  sometime  after  found, 
For  in  the  blood  and  batter  he 

Was  lost  and  almost  drown'd. 

And  she  not  knowing  of  the  same, 

Directly  after  that, 
Into  the  pudding  stir'd  her  son 

Instead  of  mincing  fat. 

Now  this  pudding  of  the  largest  size, 

Into  the  kettle  thrown, 
Made  all  the  rest  to  jump  about 

As  with  a  whirlwind  blown. 

But  so  it  tumbled  up  and  down 

Within  the  liquor  there, 
As  if  the  devil  had  been  boil'd, 

Such  was  the  mother's  fear 

That  she  took  up  the  pudding  strait ; 

And  gave  it  at  the  door 
Unto  a  Tinker,  which  from  thence 

He  in  his  budget  bore. 


MOTHER   GOOSE    MELODIES  i65 

But  as  the  Tinker  clim'd  the  style, 

He  chanc'd  to  let  a  crack, 
Now  good  old  man,  cry'd  Tom  Thumb, 
Still  hanging  on  his  back. 

At  which  the  Tinker  began  to  run 

And  would  no  longer  stay, 
But  cast  both  and  pudding  too, 
Over  the  hedge  away. 

From  whence  poor  Tom  got  loose  at  last, 

At  home  return 'd  again, 
And  he  from  great  danger  long 
In  safety  did  remain. 

Until  such  time  his  mother  went 

A  milking  of  her  kine, 
Where  Tom  unto  a  thistle  fast 
She  linked  with  a  line. 


TOM  CARRIED  AWAY  BY  A  RAVEN  AND  SWALLOWED 
UP  BY  A  GIANT  WITH  SEVERAL  OTHER  STRANGE 
ACCIDENTS  THAT  BEFEL  HIM 

Now  after  this  in  sowing  time 

His  father  would  him  have 
Into  the  field  to  drive  the  plow, 

And  therewithal  him  gave. 
A  whip  made  of  a  barley  straw, 

For  him  to  drive  the  cattle  on ; 
There  in  the  furrow' d  land  new  sown, 

Poor  Tom  was  lost  and  gone. 


1 66  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

Now  by  a  raven  of  great  strength, 

Away  poor  Tom  was  borne, 
And  carried  in  the  carrion's  beak, 

Just  like  a  grain  of  corn. 

Unto  a  giant's  castle  top, 

Wherein  he  let  him  fall. 
And  soon  the  giant  swallowed  up 

His  body,  cloaths  and  all. 

But  in  his  belly  did  Tom  Thumb 

So  great  a  rumbling  make, 
That  neither  night  nor  day  he  could 

The  smallest  quiet  take. 

Until  the  giant  him  had  spew'd 

Full  three  miles  in  the  sea ; 
There  a  large  fish  soon  took  him  up 

And  bore  him  hence  away. 

The  lusty  fish  was  after  caught 
And  to  King  Arthur  sent 

Where  Tom  was  kept,  being  a  dwarf, 
Until  his  time  was  spent. 

Long  time  he  liv'd  in  jolity 
Beloved  of  the  court, 

And  none  like  Tom  was  so  esteem'd 
Amongst  the  better  sort. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  167 


TOM   THUMB   BY   THE   COMMAND   OF   KING   ARTHUR 
DANCED  A   GALLIARD   UPON  THE   QUEEN'S 

LEFT    HAND 

Among  the  deeds  of  courtship  done, 

His  Highness  did  command 
That  he  should  dance  the  galliard  brave 

Upon  the  Queen's  left  hand. 

All  which  he  did  and  for  the  same 

Our  King  his  signet  gave, 
Which  Tom  about  his  middle  wore 

Long  time  a  girdle  brave. 

Beheld  it  was  a  rich  reward, 

And  given  by  the  King 
Which  to  his  praise  and  worthiness 

Did  lasting  honour  bring. 

For  while  he  lived  in  the  court, 
His  pleasant  pranks  were  seen, 

And  he  according  to  report, 
Was  favour'd  by  the  Queen. 


168  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


HE  RIDES  A  HUNTING  WITH  THE  KING 

Now  after  that  the  King  he  would 

Abroad  for  pleasure  go, 
Yet  stil  Tom  Thumb  must  be  with  him 

Plac'd  on  his  saddle  bow. 

And  on  a  time  when  as  it  rain'd, 

Tom  Thumb  most  nimbly  crept 
Into  his  button-hole,  where  he 

All  in  his  bosom  slept. 

And  being  near  his  Highness'  heart 

Did  crave  a  wealthy  boon ; 
A  noble  gift  the  which  the  King 

Commanded  should  be  done. 

For  to  relieve  his  father's  wants, 

And  mother's,  Deing  old  ; 
It  was  as  much  of  silver  coin 

As  well  his  arms  could  hold. 

And  so  away  goes  lucky  Tom, 
With  three  pence  on  his  back ; 

A  heavy  burden  which  did  make 
His  very  bones  to  crack. 

So  travelling  two  days  and  a  night 
In  labour  and  great  pain, 

He  came  into  the  house  whereat 
His  parents  did  remain. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  169 

Which  was  but  half  a  mile  in  space, 

From  good  King  Arthur's  court, 
All  this  in  sight.     And  forty  hours 

He  went  in  weary  sort. 

But  coming  to  his  father's  door, 

He  there  such  entrance  had, 
As  made  his  parents  both  rejoice 

And  he  thereat  was  glad. 

So  his  mother  in  her  apron  put 

Her  gentle  son  in  haste, 
And  by  the  fireside,  within 

A  walnut  shell  him  plac'd. 

And  then  they  feasted  him  three  days 

Upon  a  hazel  nut, 
On  which  he  rioted  for  long 

And  them  to  charges  put. 

And  thereupon  grew  wonderous  sick 

In  eating  so  much  meat, 
That  was  sufficient  for  a  month 

For  this  great  man  to  eat. 

So  when  his  business  call'd  him  forth 
King  Arthur's  court  to  see, 

From  which  no  longer  it  is  said 
He  could  a  stranger  be. 


170  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

But  for  a  few  moist  April  drops 

That  settled  on  the  way ; 
His  long  and  weary  Journey 

Did  hinder,  and  so  stay'. 

Until  his  careful  father  took 
A  birding  trunk  in  sport, 

And  with  one  blast  blew  this  his  son 
Into  King  Arthur's  court. 


OF  TOM'S  RUNNING  AT  TILT,  WITH  OTHER 
EXERCISES  PERFORMED  BY  HIM 

Thus  he  at  tilt  and  tournaments 

Was  entertained  so, 
That  all  the  rest  of  Arthur's  knights 

Did  him  great  pleasure  show. 

And  good  Sir  Lancelot  du  Lake, 

Sir  Tristam  and  Sir  Guy, 
Yet  none  compared  to  brave  Tom  Thumb 

In  acts  of  cavalry. 

In  honour  of  which  noble  day 
And  for  his  Lady's  sake, 

A  challenge  in  King  Arthur's  court 
Tom  Thumb  did  bravely  make 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  171 

'Gainst  whom  these  noble  knights  did  run, 

Sir  Khion  and  the  rest. 
But  yet  Tom  Thumb  with  all  his  might 

Did  bear  away  the  best. 

At  last  Sir  Lancelot  du  Lake 

In  manly  sort  came  in, 
And  with  this  stout  and  hardy  knight 

A  battle  did  begin 

Which  made  the  courtiers  all  aghast, 

For  there  this  valiant  man 
Thro'  Lancelot's  steed,  before  them  all, 

In  nimble  manner  ran  ; 

Yea  horse  and  all,  with  spear  and  shield, 

As  hardly  e'er  was  seen  ; 
But  only  by  King  Arthur's  self, 

And  his  beloved  Queen. 

Who  from  her  finger  took  a  ring 
Thro'  which  Tom  did  make  way, 

Not  touching  it  in  simple  sort, 
As  it  had  been  in  play. 

He  also  cleft  the  smallest  hair 
From  the  fair  Lady's  head, 

From  hurting  her  whose  even  hand 
Him  lasting  honours  spread. 


172  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

Such  were  his  deeds  and  noble  acts 

In  Arthur's  court  were  shewn, 
The  like  in  all  the  world  beside 

Before  was  never  seen. 

Thus  at  his  sports  Tom  toiled  himself, 

That  he  a  sickness  took, 
Thro'  all  which  manly  exercise 

His  strength  had  him  forsook. 

Where  lying  on  his  bed  sore  sick, 

King  Arthur's  Doctor  took 
A  fine  perspective  glass,  thro'  which 

They  took  a  careful  look 

Into  his  sickly  body  down, 

And  therein  saw  that  death 
Stood  ready  in  his  wasted  guts 

To  take  away  his  breath. 

His  arms  and  legs  consum'd  as  small 

As  was  a  spider  web, 
Thro'  which  his  dying  hours  grew, 

And  all  his  limbs  were  dead. 

His  face  no  bigger  than  an  ant's, 
Which  hardly  could  be  seen  ; 

The  loss  of  this  renouned  knight 
Much  grieved  the  King  and  Queen. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  173 

And  so  with  peace  and  quietness 

He  left  the  earth  below, 
And  up  into  the  Fairy  Land 

His  fading  ghost  did  go  ; 

Where  the  Fairy  Queen  received 

With  heavy  mournful  cheer 
The  body  of  her  valiant  knight, 

Whom  she  esteem' d  so  dear. 

For  with  her  dying  nymphs  in  green 

She  took  him  from  his  bed, 
With  music  sweet  and  melody,  as 

Soon  as  life  was  fled. 

For  whom  King  Arthur  and  his  knights 

Full  forty  days  did  morne; 
In  the  remembrance  of  his  name, 

That  strangly  thus  was  born. 

He  built  a  tomb  of  marble  grey, 

And  year  by  year  did  come 
To  celebrate  the  mournful  day 

And  burial  of  Tom  Thumb. 

Whose  fame  lives  here  in  England  stil 
Amongst  the  country  sort, 

Of  whom  the  wives  and  children  dear, 
Tell  pleasant  tales  of  sport. 


174  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

And  here's  a  wonder  come  at  last, 

Which  some  will  scarce  believe, 
And  two  hundred  years  were  past 

He  did  new  life  receive. 

The  Fairy  Queen  she  loved  him  so, 

As  you  shall  understand, 
That  once  again  she  let  him  go 

Down  to  the  earthly  land. 

The  very  time  that  he  returned 

Unto  the  court  again, 
It  was  as  we  are  well  inform'd, 

In  good  King  Arthur's  reign. 

Where  in  the  presence  of  the  King 
He  many  wonders  wrought, 

Recited  in  the  second  part 
Which  is  now  to  be  bought 

In  Bow  Church  Yard,  where  is  sold 
Diverting  Histories  many ; 

And  pleasant  tales  as  e'er  was  told 
For  purchase  of  one  penny. 

(End  of  Part  the  First) 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  175 


tEtye  g>econb  $art  of  tfje  iLife  of  &om  Cfjumti 

Performed  after  His  First  Return  from  Fairy  Land 

Of  Tom's  Return  from  Fairy  Land,  he  falls  into  the  firmity;  and  of  the  misfortunes  that 
attend  him. 

When  good  King  Arthur  he  did  reign 

With  all  his  knights  about  him, 
Tom  Thumb  he  then  did  entertain 

He  could  not  be  without  him. 


Behold  he  made  right  pretty  sport, 
Which  pleased  passing  well ; 

And  therefore  in  King  Arthur's  court 
He  was  allowed  to  dwell. 


His  parents  were  of  small  account, 
And  he  was  small  of  growth, 

Yet  they  on  Fortune's  wings  did  fly, 
She  did  befriend  them  both. 


For  many  long  and  pleasant  years 

He  was  belov'd  by  all 
The  royal  court,  both  prince  and  peer, 

Did  see  his  funeral. 


176  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

The  longest  time  will  ended  be, 

So  was  Tom's  life  at  last; 
The  mourning  court  did  weep  to  see 

His  breath  was  but  a  blast; 

So  mounting  to  the  Fairy  Queen, 

Her  love  she  did  express, 
By  giving  him  a  robe  of  green, 

A  sweet  and  comely  dress. 

In  the  Elysian  shades  he  reigned 

Two  hundred  years  or  more, 
And  by  the  Queen  it  was  ordain'd 

That  he  her  sceptre  bore  : 

As  King  of  all  the  Fairy  Land 

And  had  continued  still, 
But  that  as  you  may  understand 

It  was  her  gracious  will 

To  send  him  to  the  lower  world 
In  triumph  once  again, 

So  with  a  puff  or  blast  him  hurled 
Down  with  a  mighty  pain ; 

With  mighty  force  it  happen'd  he 
Did  fall  as  some  report 

Into  a  pan  of  firmity 

In  good  King  Arthur's  court. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  177 

The  cook  that  bore  it  then  along, 

Was  struck  with  a  surprise, 
For  with  the  fall  the  firmity 

Flew  up  into  her  eyes. 

The  cook  was  running  on  full  tilt 

When  Tom  fell  from  the  air ; 
The  pan  of  firmity  was  spilt; 

O  what  a  fright  was  there. 

The  cook  was  frightened  to  the  heart, 

Tom  Thumb  he  sprawling  lay, 
No  one  was  there  to  take  his  part 

Alack-and-a-well-a-day. 

His  coat  was  greatly  then  besmear'd 

With  firmity  all  over : 
Likewise  another  death  he  fear'd, 

His  bones  were  sore  all  over. 

He  got  out  of  the  Firmity 

As  well  as  he  was  able, 
They  dragged  him  immediately 

Before  King  Arthur's  table, 

Where  he  in  pomp  at  dinner  sat, 
With  wine  and  musick  sweet ; 

For  many  noble  knights  were  met 
To  taste  a  royal  treat. 


178  MOTHER  GOOSE  MELODIES 

With  clubs  and  staves,  forks  and  prongs, 

He  guarded  was  unpitied, 
To  answer  for  the  mighty  wrongs 

Which  he  had  there  committed. 

Now  as  they  enter' d  in  the  hall 

With  Tom,  that  little  sprite, 
O  how  the  multitude  did  bawl 

To  shew  their  hateful  spite. 

Some  said  he  was  a  fairy  elf 

And  therefore  deserved  to  die. 
But  crafty  Tom  secur'd  himself, 

As  you'll  find  by  and  by. 

For  just  as  they  began  to  vote 
What  death  he  should  endure, 

He  jumped  down  a  Miller's  throat ; 
And  there  he  lay  secure. 

Not  one  of  all  the  multitude 
Perceiv'd  the  way  he  went ; 

Thus  though  his  death  they  then  pursu'd, 
Tom  did  the  same  prevent : 

They  look'd  about,  but  could  not  find 
Tom  Thumb  in  any  place  ; 

Wherefore  like  men  perplex'd  in  mind, 
Each  suffered  sad  disgrace. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  179 

TOM  TORMENTS  THE  MILLER  WHILE  HE  LAYS  IN  HIS 
PAUNCH;    AND   OF    OTHER    WONDERFUL   THINGS 

THAT   HAPPENED 

Then  did  the  multitude  depart 

Like  dogs  that  burnt  their  tails, 
Each  being  vexed  to  the  heart, 

O  how  they  gnaw'd  their  nails, 

To  think  they  had  their  prisoner  lost 

In  presence  of  the  King  ; 
Never  was  man  so  strangly  crost, 

It  was  a  grievous  thing. 

The  Miller  too  above  the  rest, 

He  scower'd  like  a  ferrit ; 
Still  crying  out  he  was  possest 

With  some  familiar  spirit. 

Tom  often  punch'd  him  by  the  tripes 

And  made  the  Miller  roar, 
Alas  !  alas  !  ten  thousand  stripes 

Could  not  have  vexed  him  more. 

Ah !  woe  is  me,  that  Miller  cry'd 

Alack-and-a-well-a-day ! 
Some  spiteful  imp  does  in  me  bide, 

Which  doth  the  antick  play. 

For  help  he  to  the  Doctor  sought, 
Being  distracted  nigh, 

Alas !  the  Miller  little  thought 
Tom  Thumb  was  in  his  bellie. 


i8o  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

When  he  before  the  Doctor  came 

And  told  him  every  thing 
Which  he  had  suffered,  Tom  by  name 

Did  whistle,  dance,  and  sing. 

The  Doctor  he  was  thunderstruck, 

To  think  what  he  should  be ; 
I  fear  said  he,  some  evil  luck, 

Sure  Satan  speaks  in  thee. 

You  lie,  quoth  Tom,  and  then  he  sung 

A  short  but  pleasant  song, 
Your  Latin  and  your  lying  tongue 

Does  many  people  wrong. 

I  was  a  courtier,  'tis  well  known, 

Two  hundred  years  ago, 
When  good  King  Arthur  had  the  throne, 

As  thousands  then  did  know ; 

And  am  I  call'd  a  Devil  now, 
Who  ne'er  did  no  harm  know, 

I  solemnly  protest  and  vow 
I'll  be  reveng'd  on  you. 

The  Doctor  then  affrighted  was, 
Worse  than  he  was  before, 

And  sent  for  twenty  learned  men 
The  Miller  to  restore. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  181 

And  being  come  into  the  hall, 

Strait  to  their  great  surprise, 
Tom  for  a  cup  of  sack  did  call, 

And  musick  too  likewise — 

The  Miller  being  fast  asleep, 

And  sitting  in  the  chair, 
All  people  strait  begun  to  weep, 

When  they  his  voice  did  hear. 

With  much  ado  they  rouz'd  him  then 

So  on  his  feet  he  stood, 
For  they  were  understanding  men 

Who  came  to  do  him  good. 

By  turns  they  still  examined  him, 

How  he  his  life  did  square, 
For  they  were  certain  that  a  limb 

Of  Lucifer  was  there. 

Says  one,  I  am  persuaded  you 
Have  often  played  the  thief, 

In  taking  more  than  was  your  due 
Which  causes  all  your  grief. 

So  then  the  Miller  did  confess 
What  he  had  said  was  true, 

Yet  all  my  friends,  nevertheless 
My  father  did  so  too  ; 


1 82  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

And  he  my  grandsire,  who  in  mould 

Is  sleeping  now  full  low ; 
For  he  this  very  mill  did  hold 

One  hundred  years  ago  : 

If  they  did  so,  why  may  not  I 

One  bushel  make  of  two  ? 
Tom  Thumb  cry'd  out  immediately, 

A  hopeful  thievish  crew. 

You  must  leave  off,  they  all  did  cry, 

Steal  not  for  time  to  come  : 
A  voice  immediately  reply'd, 

Why  don't  you  hear  Tom  Thumb  ? 

So  said  they  all  began  to  run 

In  a  distracted  case, 
And  left  the  Miller  all  alone 

Who  in  a  little  space — 

Ran  to  a  mighty  river  side, 
To  ease  his  body  there, 

And  turn'd  Tom  Thumb  into  the  tide, 
Who  swam  I  know  not  where. 

But  as  the  ancient  writers  say, 
Near  to  the  Northern  Pole, 

Where  many  a  lustful  Salmon  lay, 
One  swallowed  him  up  whole. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  183 

BEING  SWALLOWED  BY  A  SALMON,  IS  CAUGHT  BY  A 

FISHERMAN,  AND  OF  THE  SPORT  HE  MADE 

IN  THE  FISH'S  BELLY 

A  Fisherman  came  out  of  Rye 

With  nets  and  other  geer, 
The  Sea  was  rough,  the  Wind  was  high, 

Yet  he  his  course  did  steer 

Midst  foaming  billows  that  did  roar, 

Until  he  came  at  last, 
Where  he  had  fished  not  long  before, 

And  there  his  net  he  cast, 

And  drew  it  up  with  great  success, 

At  which  the  fisher  laughed, 
Having  as  near  as  he  could  guess 

A  dozen  at  a  draught. 

Unto  his  net  so  fast  they  throng, 

Some  of  a  smaller  set, 
At  length  as  I  the  truth  may  tell, 

He  with  that  Salmon  met 

Which  had  gotten  poor  Tom  Thumb, 
And  almost  broke  his  net ; 

Says  he,  I  never  in  my  life 
Had  such  a  one  before ; 

I'll  home  to  honest  Joan  my  wife, 
And  let  her  see  my  store. 


1 84  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

So  having  stow'd  them  in  his  boat, 

He  home  began  to  steer, 
And  sung  a  sweet  and  pleasant  note 

For  this  his  happy  cheer, 

So  near  the  pleasant  town  of  Rye, 

His  freight'd  boat  was  blow'd, 
His  Joan  she  came  immediately 

And  laugh'd  to  see  the  load. 

His  fish  up  to  the  market  place, 

They  brought  in  state  and  pride ; 
But  O  the  salmon  was  the  best 

Of  all  the  fish  beside. 

The  people  flocked  far  and  near 

To  buy  some  fish  of  him  ; 
Because  he  had,  as  did  appear, 

As  good  as  e'er  did  swim. 

Amongst  the  rest  a  Stewart  came 
Who  would  the  salmon  buy, 

And  other  fish  that  he  did  name, 
But  he  would  not  comply. 

The  Stewart  said,  Art  thou  so  proud, 
If  so,  I'll  not  buy  any  : 

So  then  bespoke  Tom  Thumb  aloud, 
Sir.  give  him  the  other  penny. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  i85 

At  this  they  all  began  to  stare 

To  hear  this  sudden  Joke, 
Nay  some  were  frighted  to  the  heart, 

And  thought  the  dead  fish  spoke. 

It  was  a  strange  and  sudden  touch, 

So  the  fisherman  and  they 
Who  heard  him  speak,  wondered  much 

And  had  no  more  to  say. 

As  they  were  standing  in  amaze 

At  what  they  then  had  heard, 
Tom  again  his  voice  did  raise, 

And  spake  with  good  regard  ; 

Saying  the  like  in  all  the  land 

Before  was  never  seen  ; 
Present  this  salmon  out  of  hand 

Unto  the  King  and  Queen. 

So  the  Stewart  made  no  more  adieu 
But  bid  a  penny  more  ; 

Because  he  said  he  never  knew 
A  fish  to  speak  before. 

So  the  Stewart's  master  by  report 
Was  made  a  noble  Lord  ; 

He  sent  the  Salmon  to  the  court 
In  hopes  of  great  reward. 


1 86  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

Having  a  worthy  present  sent 

To  make  this  Lord  amends, 
The  King  returns  a  compliment, 

And  so  this  chapter  ends ; 

Which  fairly  leads  us  to  the  next, 
The  compliment  was  poor  ; 

The  noble  Lord  was  sorely  vexed 
To  find  he  had  no  more. 


THE  KING'S  COOK  STICKS  A  FORK  IN  TOM'S  BREECH 

AND  CARRIES  HIM  TO  THE  KING;  AND  OF  HIS 

HAPPY  DELIVERANCE 

Two  noble  knights  a  wager  laid 

About  I  know  not  what ; 
Some  say  that  they  at  fencing  play'd 

And  some  assure  us  not. 

Some  say  it  was  a  game  at  bowls 

One  morning  in  the  forest. 
Tho'  both  of  them  were  honest  men, 

The  game  was  won  and  lost. 

The  court  was  full  of  wages  then, 
Some  laid  an  hundred  pound, 

Dukes,  Lords  and  worthy  Gentlemen, 
Much  sport  and  pastime  found, 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  187 

The  King  it  seems  among  the  rest 

A  noble  diamond  lost ; 
The  Salmon  then  was  to  be  drest, 

Which  so  much  money  cost. 

The  cook  was  then  to  dress  the  same, 

And  then  by  chance  she  saw 
The  little  man,  Tom  Thumb  by  name, 

Within  the  Salmon's  maw. 

He  stared  strait,  and  said  Alas ! 

How  came  this  fellow  here  ? 
Strange  things  I  find  are  brought  to  pass, 

He  shall  not  now  get  clear. 

Because  he  vow'd  to  go  thro'  stitch, 

And  him  to  justice  bring, 
He  stuck  a  fork  into  his  breech, 

And  bore  him  to  the  King, 

Who  being  then  at  council  board, 

About  some  state  affairs, 
He  could  not  very  well  afford 

To  lay  aside  his  cares 

For  such  a  slender  cause  as  this, 
Wherefore,  as  many  say, 

The  busy  cook  he  did  dismiss 
Until  another  day. 


1 88  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

The  cook  it  seems  did  bear  in  mind 

His  old  supposed  wrong, 
Therefore  Tom  Thumb  must  be  confined 

Close  in  a  prison  strong. 

But  ne'er  a  prison  was  secure, 

When  others  were  asleep, 
This  little  Tom  they  might  be  sure, 

He'd  thro'  the  keyhole  creep. 

Therefore  they  bound  him  hand  and  foot, 

So  cruel  was  his  fate  ; 
And  in  a  mouse  trap  he  was  put, 

To  peep  between  the  grate. 

Alas !  he  made  lamentable  moan 
And  oft  would  sigh  and  say, 

Because  that  he  was  all  alone, 
Alack-and-well-a-day. 

He  labour'd  but  couldn't  get  loose 
By  all  that  he  could  do, 

The  mouse  trap  wires  were  so  close, 
Poor  Tom  could  not  get  thro'. 

When  he  had  lain  a  week  or  more, 
Bathing  in  melting  tears, 

Under  a  guard  he  came  before 
The  King  and  all  his  peers. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  189 

Poor  Tom  was  in  a  piteous  trim, 

And  seem'd  to  blush  for  shame. 
His  shirt  was  cut  out  of  the  wings 

Of  a  fair  butterfly, 
His  breeches,  coat  and  other  things 

All  pleasing  to  the  eye  : 

Upon  his  legs  likewise  he  had 

Boots  made  of  chicken  leather, 
Like  any  jolly  noble  lad 

He  wore  his  coat  and  feather. 

A  taylor's  needle  was  his  sword, 

His  headpiece  was  a  thimble, 
And  when  he  fought,  upon  my  word, 

He  made  the  Giants  tremble. 

When  now  he  was  accosted  thus, 

His  Majesty  reply'd, 
Tom,  will  you  take  a  course  with  us  ? 

We  shall  a  hunting  ride 

Together  with  the  greatest  part 

Of  nobles  of  one  court. 
Yes,  yes,  quoth  Tom,  with  all  my  heart 

I  ever  lov'd  such  sport. 

The  king  with  many  noblemen 
Did  gloriously  appear ; 

For  having  put  the  courtiers  then 
To  chase  the  noble  deer. 


190  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

But  now  poor  Tom  was  at  a  loss, 

His  limbs  they  were  so  small, 
For  he  was  loath  to  ride  a  horse 

For  fear  that  he  should  fall. 

A  little  mouse  they  did  provide, 

And  set  him  on  the  same ; 
O  then  he  did  in  safety  ride, 

As  he  pursu'd  the  game. 

The  King  and  his  Nobility, 

As  they  did  ride  with  speed, 
They  could  not  chuse  but  laugh  to  see 

Tom's  little  prancing  steed. 

They  rode  like  Nobles  of  renoun, 

Thro'  many  a  park  and  plain, 
And  just  before  the  sun  set  down 

Each  homeward  turned  again. 

But  coming  near  a  farmer's  house, 

Close  by  a  forest  side, 
A  cat  jump'd  out  and  caught  the  mouse 

Whereon  Tom  Thumb  did  ride. 

She  took  him  up  between  her  jaws, 
And  scower'd  up  a  tree, 

And  as  she  scratch'd  him  with  her  claws, 
He  cry'd  out,  Woe  is  me  ! 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  191 

He  laid  his  hands  upon  his  sword, 

And  run  her  thro'  and  thro' ; 
And  he  for  fear  of  falling  roar'd, 

Puss  likewise  cry'd  out  mew. 

It  was  a  sad  and  bloody  fight 

Between  the  cat  and  he  ; 
Puss  valued  not  this  worthy  knight, 

But  scratch'd  him  bitterly. 

The  King  and  all  his  noble  peers 

Were  overcome  with  grief ; 
They  heard  his  cries  and  saw  his  tears, 

But  could  not  yield  relief.   , 

But  at  length  she  let  him  drop 

And  they  by  mear  good  hap, 
As  he  did  tumble  from  the  top, 

Did  catch  him  in  a  cap. 

His  coat  was  tatter'd  like  a  rag, 

And  he  look'd  a  moan  ; 
They  put  him  in  a  hawking  bag, 

And  so  they  brought  him  home. 

But  Puss  had  claw'd  and  scratch'd  him  so, 
Making  his  veins  to  bleed, 

That  he  could  neither  stand  nor  go, 
But  took  his  bed  with  speed. 


1 92  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 

Where  many  dying  groans  he  sent 

Up  to  the  Fairy  Queen, 
Alas !  his  tears  of  discontent 

By  her  were  fairly  seen. 

She  grieved  to  see  him  as  he  lay, 
And  sent  a  Glorious  train 

Of  little  Fairies  to  convoy 
Him  to  her  court  again. 


THE    FAIRY  QUEEN,  FINDING  HIS  TROUBLES,  SENDS 
FOR  HIM  TO  COURT,  WHERE  HE  NOW  REMAINS 

Both  far  and  near  the  tidings  flew 

Of  Tom's  unhappy  fate, 
And  learn'd  Doctors  came  to  view 

His  present  dying  state. 

Not  one  of  them  could  do  him  good 

Nor  keep  him  safe  from  death, 
For  by  their  skill  they  understood 

He'd  die  for  want  of  breath. 

Within  a  box  of  ivory 
They  made  a  downy  bed, 

The  King  and  Nobles  wept  to  see 
His  life  was  almost  fled. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  193 

Young  virgins  watch'd  to  keep  him  warm 

For  six  or  seven  nights, 
At  length  appear'd  a  mighty  swarm 

Of  pretty  Fairy  sprites. 

With  mourning  garlands  on  their  heads 

His  bed  they  compast  round, 
And  folding  down  the  coverlid, 

Sir  Tom  Thumb  there  they  found. 

How  he  was  bruis'd  in  every  limb, 

Which  wrought  his  life's  decay  ; 
And  having  all  saluted  him, 

Without  the  least  delay 

They  put  him  in  the  winding  sheet 

More  white  than  lilies  fair, 
Then  Fairies  all  with  musick  sweet 

Did  mount  the  lofty  air. 

And  soon  they  vanish'd  out  of  sight 

Up  to  the  Fairy  Queen, 
And  from  this  time  the  mighty  Knight 

Was  never  after  seen. 

The  virgins  posted  to  the  King, 
With  tears  of  discontent, 

And  having  told  him  everything, 
The  court  in  mourning  went. 


i94  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

And  to  his  memory  they  built 

A  monument  of  gold, 
Upon  King  Edgar's  dagger  hilt, 

Most  glorious  to  behold. 

His  worthy  deeds  recorded  are 

That  ages  yet  to  come, 
May  to  their  children  young  declare 

The  deeds  of  brave  Tom  Thumb, 

And  pass  away  cool  winter's  night, 

Close  by  a  fire  side, 
With  tales  of  mirth  and  much  delight 

At  every  Christmas  tide. 

Altho'  a  second  time  he  fled 

Unto  the  glorious  shade  ; 
Yet  after  that  his  life  was  shed 

He  many  a  frolic  play'd. 

Amongst  the  Nobles  of  the  court 
Though  in  another  age. 

Affording  them  delightful  sport, 
And  was  King  Thunston's  page. 

As  you  may  read  in  part  the  third 
Fancy  to  gratify ; 

For  loving  friends  upon  my  word, 
Altho'  he  seem'd  to  die, 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

Death's  fatal  arrow  prov'd  in  vain, 
As  you  shall  understand, 

For  he  was  hurried  back  again 
Down  from  the  Fairy  Land. 


195 


(End  of  Part  the  Second) 


196  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


W&t  GTfnrb  $art  of  tfje  Hiit  of  &om  Gtyumfc 

Performed  after  His  Second  Return  from  Fairy  Land 

In  what  strange  manner  Tom  Thumb  came  back  a  third  time,  and  unfortunately  fell  into  a 
greasy  frying  pan. 

In  woeful  manner  Tom  thus  left 

The  King  and  all  his  court, 
Of  all  their  mirth  they  were  bereft ; 

He  yielded  them  such  sport. 

Unto  his  memory  was  paid 

For  all  his  actions  past, 
Another  monument  was  made 

That  should  forever  last. 

Now  in  the  Elysian  fields  he  reigns 

King  of  the  Fairy  Land, 
Where  he  the  love  of  all  obtains, 

Ready  at  his  command. 

He  to  the  Fairy  Queen  relates 
His  mighty  acts  belcw ; 

His  wonderful  adventures  great, 
As  Edgar's  court  did  shew, 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  197 

In  joyful  sort  he  reigned  above, 

As  he  had  done  before, 
The  Fairy  Queen  to  shew  her  love 

He  again  her  sceptre  bore  : 

Until  such  time  it  pleas'd  her  that 

She'd  send  him  once  again, 
And  as  all  histories  do  agree, 

It  was  in  Thunston's  reign. 

She  clothed  him  all  o'er  in  green, 

And  without  more  delay, 
But  with  her  great  majestic  mein, 

She  hurried  him  away. 

When  he  descended  thro'  the  air, 

This  poor  unhappy  man, 
By  said  mishap  as  you  will  hear, 

Fell  in  a  sloppy  pan. 

So  all  besmear'd  in  piteous  wise, 
Poor  Tom  was  almost  drown'd ; 

For  in  the  grease  he  could  not  rise, 
Or  scarce  be  ever  found. 

He  then  did  cry,  Ah !  woe  is  me, 
My  misery  don't  decay  ; 

Which  caus'd  the  cook  to  flee,  you  see, 
'Twas  death,  he  would  not  stay. 


198  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

Then  all  the  people  thronged  fast 

Such  miracles  to  see, 
There  was  he  'most  spent  at  last 

i 

For  none  durst  set  him  free. 

But  he  at  last  deliver'd  was, 
When  thousands  did  resort, 

Brought  into  this  woeful  case 
Unto  King  Arthur's  Court. 


TOM  IS  BROUGHT  BEFORE  THE  KING,  WITH  AN 
ACCOUNT  OF  HIS  ACTIONS 

In  shameful  sort  Tom  Thumb  appear'd 

Before  his  Majesty, 
But  grown  so  weak,  could  not  be  heard, 

Which  caus'd  his  malady. 

All  that  beheld  him  stood  amaz'd, 

And  knew  not  what  to  say ; 
Some  did  endeavor  him  to  seize 

'Fore  life  did  quite  decay. 

The  Doctor  then  with  speed  was  call'd 

His  vitals  to  restore, 
For  in  the  greasy  water  maul'd, 

He  did  their  help  implore  ; 


MOTHER   GOOSE    MELODIES  199 

That  if  his  Majesty  would  grant — 

He  would  in  humble  sort 
Declare  the  cause  of  all  their  want 

Of  knowledge  in  the  court. 

At  length  the  King  resolved  was 

For  to  grant  him  his  request, 
And  from  his  presence  he  should  pass 

For  to  ease  himself  and  rest. 

And  that  the  Doctor  should  take  care 

For  to  bring  him  on  demand. 
So  they  Tom  Thumb  away  did  bear, 

For  to  wait  the  King's  command. 

The  Doctor  thought  to  let  him  blood, 

But  some  did  him  oppose  ; 
Others  said  it  was  not  good, 

And  thus  dispute  arose. 

'Til  one,  a  grave  experienc'd  man 

Did  all  they  say  disannul : 
For  in  his  sleep,  as  they  could  scan, 

His  pains  were  now  annul'. 

At  last  upon  a  learn'd  debate, 

It  was  resolved  by  all, 
How  they  should  trust  his  life  to  fate, 

And  wait  his  raise  and  fall. 


aoo  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

But  fortune  proved  yet  his  friend, 

As  his  life  did  shew  before, 
Tho'  she  left  him  in  the  end, 

His  miseries  to  deplore.     , 

For  at  the  last  he  rais'd  his  head 

In  presence  of  them  all, 
And  cry'd,  my  life  is  not  yet  fled, 

My  spirits  I  recall. 

That  I  may  answer  for  the  wrong 

Which  now  is  done  to  me  ; 
And  clear  myself  e'er  it  be  long 

Before  his  Majesty. 

His  speech  did  cause  a  great  surprise, 

They  knew  not  what  to  say, 
For  on  a  sudden  Tom  did  rise, 

At  which  they  fled  away. 

But  his  poor  guardian  trembling  stood 
Betwixt  great  hopes  and  fear  ; 

But  Tom  cry'd  in  a  merry  mood, 
Unto  the  King  we'll  steer. 

His  trial  at  the  last  drew  near, 
Great  preparations  made, 

For  the  King  and  Nobles  stood  in  fear, 
Yet  seemed  not  dismay'd. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  201 

For  by  his  Majesty's  command 

Poor  Tom  Thumb  must  appear, 
For  to  answer  such  questions  as 

How  he  himself  should  clear. 

When  to  his  presence  he  was  brought, 

He  did  amaze  the  court, 
He  paid  obeysance  where  he  thought 

Fit  for  to  yield  them  sport. 

So  the  King  ask'd  him  whence  he  came, 

The  way  he  liv'd,  and  where, 
He  also  then  requires  his  name, 

Who  caus'd  this  pannick  fear. 

Tom  then  relates  his  actions  past, 

How  he  had  liv'd  before  ; 
And  then  his  being  cast 

Down  to  the  earth  once  more. 

All  that  of  them  he  did  emplore, 
To  search  the  records  past ; 

How  sumptuously  he  was  before, 
None  might  his  memory  blast. 

For  deeds  renouned  I  was  fam'd, 

Now  in  oblivion  lost, 
Sir  Tom  Thumb  I  then  was  named, 

Tho'  same  my  life  has  cost. 


202  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

The  which  the  King  no  sooner  heard 

But  from  his  throne  did  rise, 
And  said,  Sir  Tom  Thumb,  for  thy  fame 

None  can  equalize. 

Thy  birth,  thy  parentage  is  known, 

Traditions  do  make  clear ; 
All  people  do  your  great  renown 

In  joyful  memory  bear. 

So  that  from  hence  you  need  not  fear, 

My  favour  you  shall  have  ; 
To  me  your  memory  is  dear, 

Henceforth  you  need  not  crave. 

For  lodgings — now  the  King  resolv'd 
A  palace  should  be  fram'd, 

The  walls  of  this  most  stately  place 
Were  lovely  to  behold 

For  workmanship,  most  wondrous  taste, 
It  look'd  like  beaten  gold. 

The  height  thereof  was  but  a  span, 
And  doors  but  one  inch  wide. 

The  inward  parts  were  all  Japan, 
Which  was  in  him  great  pride. 

The  workmanship  so  fine  appears, 
Nothing  was  more  compleat. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  203 

That  Tom  lives  in  a  pleasant  sort, 

Who  was  loved  of  all ; 
He  yielded  them  much  mirth  and  sport 

All  waited  on  his  call. 

The  King  did  him  admire  so, 

The  wonder  of  the  age, 
His  bounty  farther  to  bestow, 

Thurston  made  him  page. 


TOM  GROWS  IN  FAVOUR  WITH  THE  KING,  WHO  BUYS 
HIM  A  COACH  DRAWN  BY  SIX  MICE 

All  troubles  now  are  vanished, 

In  peace  Tom  Thumb  did  live, 
No  cares  disturb  his  peace  by  night, 

No  miseries  survive. 

The  great  oft  storms  will  have  an  end, 

When  calm  succeeds  again, 
Fortune  her  bounty  now  did  lend 

And  eas'd  him  of  all  pain. 

All  recreation  thought  could  have, 

Or  life  could  e'er  afford, 
All  earthly  Joys  that  he  could  crave 

At  his  desire  or  word. 


204  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

No  mirth  without  him  now  might  please, 

All  to  him  did  resort, 
So  as  he  liv'd  in  splendid  ease 

Beloved  of  all  the  court. 

So  that  the  King  so  pleased  was, 

As  for  his  ease  and  sake, 
Thro'  his  dominions  he  might  pass 

Or  recreation  take. 

Of  smallest  mice  that  could  be  found 
For  to  draw  his  coach  appears, 

Such  stately  steeds  his  wish  to  crown, 
Long  tails  with  chopped  ears. 

So  he  enjoys  his  whole  desire, 

Forgets  his  miseries  past, 
Ambition  makes  him  still  aspire 

Which  fatal  proves  at  last. 

For  his  desire  so  lustful  grown. 

Opposed  both  King  and  Queen  ; 
Tried  to  usurp  the  Royal  Throne, 

Such  thing  had  ne'er  been  seen. 

The  King  with  rage  and  fury  fir'd 
To  see  himself  abus'd, 

That  of  the  court  he  then  desir'd 
Tom  Thumb  might  be  accus'd 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  2o5 

That  nothing  would  his  wrath  appease 

To  free  him  from  all  strife, 
Or  set  his  mind  at  perfect  ease 

Until  he  had  his  life. 


OF  TOM'S  ESCAPE  ON  A  BUTTER-FLY,  AND  THE  MAN- 
NER IN  WHICH  HE  WAS  TAKEN  PRISONER 

Now  all  the  court  stood  in  amaze, 

To  hear  the  King  relate, 
For  some  did  Tom's  fam'd  action  praise 

While  others  urg'd  his  fate. 

After  debates  they  did  agree 

How  he  should  there  appear ; 
But  their  designs  Tom  did  foresee, 

Which  caus'd  him  pannick  fear. 

Perceiving  now  a  mighty  throng 

Approaching  near  the  place 
Ready  to  seize  him,  but  e'er  long 

Retir'd  with  nimble  pace. 

Into  his  shell,  where  safe  he  lay 
And  unperceiv'd  by  all, 

And  made  them  search  in  vain  all  day 
Such  as  design'd  his  fall. 


206  MOTHER   GOOSE    MELODIES 

But  finding  all  retir'd  and  gone, 

His  hunger  to  suffice, 
In  cautious  sort  he  moves  along, 

Nature  wants  some  supplies. 

But  all  in  vain,  no  food  he  finds, 

His  joys  are  turn'd  to  grief ; 
Fortune  that  once  seem'd  to  be  kind 

Now  yields  him  no  relief. 

So  long  he  wander'd,  but  in  vain, 

No  prospect  yet  appears, 
Which  did  involve  him  in  such  pain, 

As  captivates  his  fears. 

At  last  with  grief  he  laid  him  down, 

His  miseries  to  deplore, 
For  no  expedient  could  be  found 

For  to  gain  nature's  store. 

At  last  a  butterfly  he  espy'd, 
The  which  he  seiz'd  in  haste, 

Upon  his  back  he  got  astride ; 
With  care  himself  he  plac'd. 

So  with  expanded  wings  he  mounts 
For  he  was  plac'd  secure. 

His  tender  limbs  all  lay  so  soft 
No  hardships  could  endure. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  207 

As  providence  ordain'd  all  things 

To  each  his  own  nature ; 
Tom's  steed  from  tree  to  tree  still  climbs, 

His  miseries  were  greater 

From  post  to  pillar  now  he's  tost, 

Again  upon  the  ground, 
And  now  aloft,  thus  was  he  crost, 

No  respite  could  be  found. 

But  mark  his  fate,  Tom's  winged  steed 

Did  now  direct  his  course, 
As  if  by  chance,  or  fate  decreed, 

With  all  his  might  and  force 

Into  the  court,  and  hovering  round, 

A  banquet  was  prepar'd 
And  in  Joy  they  do  abound, 

No  other  sound  was  heard. 

But  in  the  middle  of  the  sport 

Tom  Thumb  they  did  espy, 
How  he  was  riding  round  the  court 

Upon  a  butterfly. 

The  which  in  vain  they  strove  to  seize, 

'Tis  his  unhappy  lot, 
As  on  him  steadfastly  they  gaze 

He  fell  in  a  white  pot. 


208  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 

When  searching  long,  at  last  they  found 

Tom  in  a  piteous  case  ; 
He  with  the  fall  was  almost  drown'd 

Such  was  his  sad  disgrace. 

v. 

But  not  regarding  of  his  moan 
Away  they  did  him  bring, 

Where  for  his  crime  he  must  atone 
Before  the  King  and  Queen. 


OF  TOM'S  BEING  BROUGHT  BEFORE  THE  KING  WITH 
HIS  BEHAVIOUR  DURING  THE  TIME  OF  THE  TRIAL 

At  last  the  mournful  day  is  come 

On  which  Tom  must  appear 
Before  the  King  to  hear  his  doom, 

His  plaint  none  more  could  hear. 

For  their  aversion  was  so  great 

None  would  plead  his  cause, 
But  rather  usher'd  on  his  fate 

To  gain  the  King's  applause. 

Unto  all  they  said,  this  little  man 

Made  no  reply  at  all, 
For  fear  his  words  they  would  trapan, 

Which  raised  their  spleen  and  gall. 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  209 

Unto  all  them  the  King  did  swear 

By  all  his  pomp  and  power, 
That  if  himself  he  did  not  clear 

He  should  be  hang'd  that  hour. 

So  he  did  raise  his  little  head 

And  said,  ah  !  woe  is  me  ; 
My  vital  spirits  are  just  fled 

So  pass  your  last  decree. 

For  here  no  respite  can  I  find, 

But  one  continual  strife, 
Exert  your  power,  glut  your  mind, 

And  take  my  wretched  life. 

This  valiant  answer  mov'd  the  court, 

All  but  the  angry  Queen, 
Her  rage  and  fury  did  transport, 

No  one  could  intervene. 

Some  pleaded  hard  that  they  would  give 

Him  present  punishment 
Unto  some  more  remoter  place, 

Should  be  his  banishment. 

But  still  in  vain,  they  could  not  hear, 
No  pity  should  be  shown, 

Since  for  the  fact  he  must  pay  dear, 
His  life  must  it  atone. 


210  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

So  the  King  his  sentence  declar'd, 

How  hang'd  he  should  be, 
And  that  a  gibbet  should  be  rear'd 

And  none  should  set  him  free. 

After  his  sentence  thus  was  past 

Unto  a  prison  he  was  led, 
For  in  a  mouse  trap  he  was  fast, 

He  had  no  other  bed. 

His  tender  limbs  not  us'd  to  such 

Did  bruise  in  piteous  wise, 
In  his  past  life  suffered  much, 

Yet  none  regards  his  cries, 

His  liberty  now  to  regain, 
His  prison  strives  to  break, 

Where  long  he  labour'd  with  great  pains, 
His  life  was  now  at  stake. 

Nothing  but  death  appear'd  in  view 
Which  did  his  thoughts  employ, 

Yet  for  no  pardon  would  he  sue 
Nor  life  again  enjoy. 

Tom  thus  secur'd  was  left  alone, 
For  death  he  does  prepare  ; 

In  piteous  sort  he  makes  his  moan, 
Being  driven  to  despair. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  211 

At  last  by  chance  the  cat  him  spy'd 

And  for  a  mouse  did  take, 
She  him  attacked  upon  each  side 

And  did  his  prison  break. 


TOM,  ENDEAVOURING  TO   MAKE   HIS   ESCAPE,    FALLS 

INTO  A  SPIDER'S  WEBB,  AND  OF  HIS 

UNEXPECTED  DEATH 

The  cat  perceiving  her  mistake 

Away  she  fled  with  speed, 
Which  made  poor  Tom  to  flight  betake 

Being  thus  prison  freed. 

Resolving  there  no  more  to  dwell 

But  break  the  King's  decree, 
Into  a  spider's  webb  he  fell 

And  could  not  hence  get  free. 

The  spider  watching  for  his  prey 

Tom  took  to  be  a  fly, 
And  seized  him  without  delay, 

Regarding  not  his  cry. 

The  blood  out  of  his  body  draws, 
He  yielded  up  his  breath ; 

Thus  he  was  freed  from  all  his  pains 
By  this  unlook'd  for  death. 


212  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 

Thus  you  have  heard  his  actions  small, 

Likewise  his  actions  great, 
His  rife,  his  progress,  and  his  fall, 

Thus  usher'd  in  by  fate. 

Altho'  he's  dead,  his  memory  lives 
Recorded  ever  fare ; 

His  very  name  some  pleasure  gives 
And  ever  will  endure. 


FINIS. 


&U  Cjnlbren  Jf  orbtfcfoen  to  &o  pepcmtr  ftere 


213 


JJotea 


2l5 


216 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  217 


PUSSY  CAT,  PUSSY  CAT 8 

There  is  an  old  proverb  which  says  that  "a  cat  may  look  at  a  king."  Whether  the  same 
adage  applies  equally  to  a  female  sovereign,  and  is  referred  to  in  the  following  nursery  rhyme,  or 
whether  it  alludes  to  the  glorious  Queen  Bess  is  now  an  uncertainty. 


SING  A  SONG  OP  SIXPENCE 16 

In  the  original  the  words  were  "  The  king  was  in  the  parlour,  and  the  queen  was  in  the  closet." 

COME  ALL  YE  BRISK  YOUNG  BATCHELORS .17 

This  song  is  of  great  antiquity,  as  it  is  alluded  to  as  such  in  the  nursery  rhymes  of  Henry  VII. 

A  KID,  A  KID 24 

The  original  of  this  hymn  has  come  down  to  us  from  the  Chaldee  language  through  the 
Hebrew,  the  manuscript  of  which  is  in  the  possession  of  George  Offer,  Esq.,  of  Hackney,  England, 
and  is  the  original  of  House  that  Jack  Built. 

The  following  is  the  interpretation  thereof: 

The  kid,  which  was  one  of  the  pure  animals,  denotes  the  Hebrews. 

The  father,  by  whom  it  was  purchased,  is  Jehovah,  who  represents  Himself  as  sustaining 
this  relation  to  the  Hebrew  nation. 

The  two  pieces  of  money  signify  Moses  and  Aaron  through  whose  mediation  the  Hebrews 
were  brought  out  of  Egypt. 

The  cat  denotes  the  Assyrians  by  whom  the  ten  tribes  were  carried  into  captivity. 

The  dog  is  symbolic  of  the  Babylonians. 

The  staff  signifies  the  Persians. 

The  fire  indicates  the  Grecian  Empire  under  Alexander  the  Great. 

The  water  betokens  the  Romans,  or  the  fourth  of  the  great  monarchies  to  whose  dominion  the 
Jews  were  subjected. 

The  ox  is  a  symbol  of  the  Saracens  who  subdued  Palestine  and  brought  it  under  the  caliphate. 

The  butcher  denotes  the  crusader,  by  whom  the  Holy  Land  was  taken  from  the  hands  of  the 
Saracens. 

The  angel  of  death  signifies  the  Turkish  power  by  which  the  land  of  the  Palestinian  was  taken 
from  the  Franks  and  to  which  it  is  still  subject  at  this  time  of  writing. 

The  tenth  stanza  is  designed  to  show  that  god  will  take  signal  vengeance  on  the  Turks, 
immediately  after  whose  overthrow  the  Jews  are  to  be  restored  to  their  own  land,  and  live  under 
the  government  of  their  long  expected  Messiah. 


2i 8  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


LITTLE  JACK  HORNER 30 

The  tale  of  Little  Jack  Horner  has  long  been  appropriated  to  the  nursery.  The  four  lines 
which  follow  are  the  familiar  ones,  and  they  form  part  of  The  pleasant  History  of  Jack  Horner 
containing  his  witty  Tricks  and  pleasant  Pranks,  which  he  plaied  from  his  Youth  to  his  riper 
Years,  a  copy  of  which  is  in  the  Bodleian  Library.     The  entire  History  will  be  repeated  later. 


I  HAD  A  LITTLE  HUSBAND 30 

This  nursery  song  may  probably  commemorate  a  part  of  Tom  Thumb's  history,  extant  in 
little  Danish  work  treating  of  "Tomling  Swain,  a  man  no  bigger  than  a  thumb,  who  would  be 
married  to  a  woman  three  ells  and  three  quarters  long."  Supposed  to  have  originated  in  the 
10th  Century. 


DOCTOR  FOSTER  WENT  TO  GLOUCESTER 37 

Dr.  Foster  went  to  Gloucester  This  refers  to  the  time  before  it  was  the  custom  to  pave 
streets.  The  roads  in  Gloucester  were  particularly  poor.  There  is  a  story  told  about  Edward  I. 
riding  through  the  street  one  night  on  horseback  and  being  stuck  in  the  mud  so  deep  that  it  was 
necessary  to  place  boards  on  the  ground  before  they  were  able  to  carry  him  into  the  tavern.  He 
never  returned  to  the  place  again.     It  may  be  that  this  rhyme  refers  to  him. 


SIMPLE  SIMON 40 

The  tale  of  Simple  Simon  forms  one  of  the  old  Chap-books  of  the  Elizabethan  era,  but 
these  verses  are  those  generally  sung  in  the  nursery. 


A  FROG  LIVED  IN  A  WELL  52 

This  is  the  original  of  "A  Frog  he  Would  A-wooing  Go,"  which  appears  to  have  been 
borrowed  from  this. 


A  MAN  OF  WORDS 57 

From  the  early  fifteenth  century. 

PURPLE,  YELLOW,  RED,  AND  GREEN 58 

As  this  refers  to  Oliver  Cromwell,  it  undoubtedly  belongs  to  the  seventeenth  century. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES  219 


TWO  LEGS  SAT  UPON  THREE  LEGS -59 

One  leg  is  a  leg  of  mutton;  two  legs,  a  man;  three  legs,  a  stool;  four  legs,  a  dog. 


COME,  BUTTER,  COME 61 

This  next  charm,  if  said  thrice,  will  make  the  butter  come  from  the  churn. 


THERE  WAS  AN  OLD  WOMAN 62 

There  was  an  old  woman  tossed  up  in  a  blanket "  was  an  old  melody  in  the  time  of  Henry 
V.  It  was  this  rhyme  that  his  soldiers  used  to  parody  His  Majesty  upon  his  return  from  the 
French  wars. 


GAY  GO  UP    .         .         . 63 

This  is  a  song  to  an  ancient  nursery  dance.    How  ancient  is  not  known. 


MATTHEW,  MARK,  LUKE,  AND  JOHN 66 

This  comes  down  to  us  from  the  fifteenth  century. 


220  MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES 

LET'S  GO  TO  THE  WOODS 67 

Song  to  five  toes,  of  very  olden  times. 

ANNAELISE 67 

This  jingle  is  said  to  have  pleased  the  children  of  Edward  III. 

OLD  KING  COLE 68 

Old  King  Coel  was  one  of  the  ancient  Celtic  kings  of  about  the  third  century ,  much  beloved 
by  his  people. 

OLD  KING  COEL 68 

This  is  a  still  older  version  of  the  same  song. 

THIS  LITTLE  PIG  WENT  TO  MARKET 71 

Song  said  to  five  fingers. 

ALL  HAIL  TO  THE  MOON 73 

In  ye  olden  days  the  ladyes  in  the  north  of  England  addressed  the  new  moon  in  these  lines: 

MISTRESS  MARY 76 

Older  version  was  "  and  cowslips  all  in  a  row." 


MOTHER  GOOSE   MELODIES  221 


BOBBY  SHAFTO 77 

Original  line  was  Bobby  Shaft 


OF  ALL  GAY  BIRDS 81 

This  song  is  one  of  the  oldest  which  has  come  down  to  us  in  oral  tradition  in  England,  proba- 
bly from  the  same  date  as  Beowulf,  or  before  the  Christian  era. 


LADY  COW 87 

This  stanza  "  is  of  very  considerable  antiquity." 


THE  OLD  GOOSE  LAY  ON  HER  DEATH-BED,  COCK  ROBIN,  AND  THE  FIVE  PIGS     88 

These  last  three  songs,  while  they  are  not  among  the  Percy  collection,  are  of  about  the  same 
date  as  is  "  Froggie  would  a-wooing  go."  It  may  be  of  interest  to  note  that  one  of  the  means  by 
which  the  relative  date  of  the  songs  can  be  ascertained,  is  by  the  style  of  the  paper  and  type  of  the 
earliest  copy  extant.  Then  by  a  process  of  elimination  we  know  that  they  may  or  may  not  be 
earlier  than  a  certain  period,  from  subjects  mentioned  in  the  rhymes,  as  for  instance  in  this  last 
poem,  it  speaks  of  oranges.  Oranges,  lemons,  melons,  tents,  and  trumpets,  were  not  known  in 
Europe  before  the  last  half  of  the  thirteenth  century,  as  they  were  brought  into  the  country  from 
the  Orient  by  the  people  after  the  Crusades.  Hence  the  foregoing  song  cannot  be  earlier  than  the 
thirteenth  or  fourteenth  century.  And  as  they  are  in  the  Black  Letter  Ballads  which  appeared 
sometime  during  the  sixteenth  century,  we  know  that  it  must  have  been  written  sometime  during 
that  interregnum. 


222  MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


WHEN  A  TWISTER  TWISTING 107 

These  three  charms  are  for  the  hiccups,  and  each  one  must  be  said  in  one  breath,  to  render 
the  specific  service.     They  are  a  very  ancient  English  cure  for  the  same. 


ORIGINAL  MOTHER  GOOSE 109 

As  far  as  is  known,  the  morals  and  maxims  of  Part  II  were  written  by  Oliver  Goldsmith  who 
was  in  the  employ  of  John  Newbury,  but  the  songs  in  the  Mother  Goose's  Melodies,  attributed 
to  Goldsmith,  are  found  to  be  of  much  earlier  date.  They  were  the  popular  songs  of  the  time 
and  he  used  them  in  the  same  manner  that  Shakespeare  did  the  songs  in  his  plays. 


LITTLE  JACK  HORNER 125 

The  tale  of  little  Jack  Horner  has  long  been  appropriated  to  the  nursery.  The  four  lines  are 
the  familiar  ones,  and  they  form  part  of  The  pleasant  History  of  Jack  Horner  containing  his 
witty  Tricks  and  pleasant  Pranks,  which  he  plaied  from  his  youth  to  his  riper  years,  a  copy  of  which 
is  in  the  Bodleian  Library. 


The  Merriment  of  Jack  Horner  has  long  since  departed  from  the  modern  series  of  Mother 
Goose.  In  order  that  it  may  not  be  entirely  forgotten  I  give  the  following  copy  of  it  from  the 
Douce's  collection.  It  contains  the  witty  pranks  he  played,  from  his  youth  to  his  riper  years, 
"being  pleasant  readings  for  Winter  Evenings."  .  .  .  .  _        .  .  .141 

This  song  appeared  under  the  title  of  The  Pleasant  History  of  Jack  Horner,  in  1785.  It  was 
taken  almost  word  for  word  from  the  poem  The  History  of  Jack  Horner  printed  in  London,  in 
1750.  This  in  turn  was  copied  with  a  few  additions  from  an  earlier  rhyme  of  Jack  Homer.  Just 
where  Jack  Horner  originated  is  not  known  authoritatively.  Some  writers  ascribe  it  to  Shake- 
speare's time;  on  the  other  hand  some  attribute  it  to  the  early  Celtic. 


MOTHER   GOOSE   MELODIES 


223 


TOM  THUMB 


160 


TOM  THUMB 


Tom  Thumb,  his  Life,  and  Death,  wherein  is  declared  many  Marvelous  Acts  of  Manhood  full 
of  Wonder  and  Merriment,  which  little  Knight  lived  in  King  Arthur's  Time,  and  famous  in  the 
Court  of  Greet  Brittain  is  quoted  among  the  books  of  John  Wright  of  London  in  1630. 

And  again  in  a  Black  Letter  Print  in  Edinburgh  in  1682,  which  speak  of  it  as  a  "piece  of 
ancient  popular  Poetry."  And  earlier  still  Sharon  Turner  in  his  History  of  the  Anglo  Saxons, 
connects  this  renouned  dwarf  with  King  Edgar's  court. 

Langley  in  one  of  the  Black  Letter  Pages  of  1 621,  of  which  but  two  copies  are  now  extant, 
priced  "a  copy  of  this  ancient  and  very  popular  poem"  as  being  sold  f 6-2/6. 

Mention  is  found  made  of  the  same  as  early  as  during  the  last  half  of  the  sixteenth  century, 
but  no  known  earlier  prints  are  in  existence  today. 

Page  160 — Mickle,  large. 

Page  160 — eke,  old  English  for  also. 

Page  160 — Merlin,  a  Welsh  magician  said  to  have  lived  in  the  third  century. 

Page  165 — both,  old  English  for  booty. 

Page  176— firmity,  later  fermety,  a  form  of  yeast. 

Page  208 — Irapan,  obsolete  form  of  snare  or  trick. 


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